Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.31

UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA

                     COMMERCIAL PROMISSORY NOTE (Base Rate)

                                                     Andrea Gonzalez / SR / 5787

Debtor Name
Sparta, Inc., a Delaware corporation

Debtor Address                Office           Loan Number
25531 Commercecentre Drive    45061            850-832-775-8      0080-00-0-000
Lake Forest, CA 92630
                              Maturity Date    Amount
                              July 2, 2007     $ 6,000,000.00

$ 6.000.000.00                                                Date July 1, 2004

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, on July 2. 2007, the undersigned ("Debtor") promises to pay
to the order of UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("Bank"), as indicated below, the
principal sum of Six Million and 00/100ths Dollars ($6.000.000.00), or so much
thereof as is disbursed, together with interest on the balance of such principal
from time to time outstanding, at the per annum rate or rates and at the times
set forth below.

1.    INTEREST PAYMENTS. Debtor shall pay interest on the 1st day of each month
Commencing August 1. 2004. Should interest not be paid when due, it shall become
part of the principal and bear interest as herein provided. All computations of
interest under this note shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days, for
actual days elapsed. If any interest rate defined in this note ceases to be
available from Bank for any reason, then said interest rate shall be replaced by
the rate then offered by Bank, which, in the sole discretion of Bank, most
closely approximates the unavailable rate.

      (a) BASE INTEREST RATE. At Debtor's option, amounts outstanding hereunder
      in minimum amounts of $ 250.000 shall bear interest at a rate, based on an
      index selected by Debtor, which is 2% per annum in excess of Bank's LIBOR
      Rate for the Interest Period selected by Debtor, acceptable to Bank.

      No Base Interest Rate may be changed, altered or otherwise modified until
      the expiration of the Interest Period selected by Debtor. The exercise of
      interest rate options by Debtor shall be as recorded in Bank's records,
      which records shall be prima facie evidence of the amount borrowed under
      either interest option and the interest rate; provided, however, that
      failure of Bank to make any such notation in its records shall not
      discharge Debtor from its obligations to repay in full with interest all
      amounts borrowed. In no event shall any Interest Period extend beyond the
      maturity date of this note.

      To exercise this option, Debtor may, from time to time with respect to
      principal outstanding on which a Base Interest Rate is not accruing, and
      on the expiration of any Interest Period with respect to principal
      outstanding on which a Base Interest Rate has been accruing, select an
      index offered by Bank for a Base Interest Rate loan and an Interest Period
      by telephoning an authorized lending officer of Bank located at the
      banking office identified below prior to 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on any
      Business Day and advising that officer of the selected index, the Interest
      Period and the Origination Date selected (which Origination Date, for a
      Base Interest Rate loan based on the LIBOR Rate, shall follow the date of
      such selection by no more than two (2) Business Days).

      Bank will mail a written confirmation of the terms of the selection to
      Debtor promptly after the selection is made. Failure to send such
      confirmation shall not affect Bank's rights to collect interest at the
      rate selected. If, on the date of the selection, the index selected is
      unavailable for any reason, the selection shall be void. Bank reserves the
      right to fund the principal from any source of funds notwithstanding any
      Base Interest Rate selected by Debtor.

<PAGE>

      (b) VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. All principal outstanding hereunder which is
      not bearing interest at a Base Interest Rate shall bear interest at the
      Reference Rate, which rate shall vary as and when the Reference Rate
      changes.

At any time prior to the maturity date of this note, subject to the provisions
of paragraph 4 below, Debtor may borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder so long as
the total outstanding at anyone time does not exceed the principal amount of
this note.

Debtor shall pay all amounts due under this note in lawful money of the United
States at Bank's Orange County Corporate Banking Office, or such other office as
may be designated by Bank, from time to time.

2.    LATE PAYMENTS. If any payment required by the terms of this note shall
remain unpaid ten days after same is due, at the option of Bank, Debtor shall
pay a fee of $100 to Bank.

3.    INTEREST RATE FOLLOWING DEFAULT. In the event of default, at the option of
Bank, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest shall be payable on the
outstanding principal under this note at a per annum rate equal to five percent
(5%) in excess of the interest rate specified in paragraph 1.b, above,
calculated from the date of default until all amounts payable under this note
are paid in full.

4.    PREPAYMENT.

(a) Amounts outstanding under this note bearing interest at a rate based on the
Reference Rate may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, without penalty
or premium. Debtor may prepay amounts outstanding under this note bearing
interest at a Base Interest Rate in whole or in part provided Debtor has given
Bank not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice of Debtor's
intention to make such prepayment and pays to Bank the prepayment fee due as a
result. The prepayment fee shall also be paid, if Bank, for any other reason,
including acceleration or foreclosure, receives all or any portion of principal
bearing interest at a Base Interest Rate prior to its scheduled payment date.
The prepayment fee shall be an amount equal to the present value of the product
of: (i) the difference (but not less than zero) between (a) the Base Interest
Rate applicable to the principal amount which is being prepaid, and (b) the
return which Bank could obtain if it used the amount of such prepayment of
principal to purchase at bid price regularly quoted securities issued by the
United States having a maturity date most closely coinciding with the relevant
Base Rate Maturity Date and such securities were held by Bank until the relevant
Base Rate Maturity Date ("Yield Rate"); (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days in the period between the date of prepayment and the
relevant Base Rate Maturity Date and the denominator of which is 360; and (iii)
the amount of the principal so prepaid (except in the event that principal
payments are required and have been made as scheduled under the terms of the
Base Interest Rate Loan being prepaid, then an amount equal to the lesser of (A)
the amount prepaid or (B) 50% of the sum of (1) the amount prepaid and (2) the
amount of principal scheduled under the terms of the Base Interest Rate Loan
being prepaid to be outstanding at the relevant Base Rate Maturity Date).
Present value under this note is determined by discounting the above product to
present value using the Yield Rate as the annual discount factor.

(b) In no event shall Bank be obligated to make any payment or refund to Debtor,
nor shall Debtor be entitled to any setoff or other claim against Bank, should
the return which Bank could obtain under this prepayment formula exceed the
interest that Bank would have received if no prepayment had occurred. All
prepayments shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount so
prepaid and shall be applied to payment of interest before application to
principal. A determination by Bank as to the prepayment fee amount, if any,
shall be conclusive.

(c) Bank shall provide Debtor a statement of the amount payable on account of
prepayment. Debtor acknowledges that (i) Bank establishes a Base Interest Rate
upon the understanding that it apply to the Base Interest Rate Loan for the
entire Interest Period, and (ii) Bank would not lend to Debtor without Debtor's
express agreement to pay Bank the prepayment fee described above.

DEBTOR INITIAL HERE:

5.    DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION OF TIME FOR PAYMENT. Default shall include, but
not be limited to, any of the following: (a) the failure of Debtor to make any
payment required under this note when due; (b) any breach, misrepresentation or
other default by Debtor, any guarantor, co-maker,

<PAGE>

endorser, or any person or entity other than Debtor providing security for this
note (hereinafter individually and collectively referred to as the "Obligor")
under any security agreement, guaranty or other agreement between Bank and any
Obligor; (c) the insolvency of any Obligor or the failure of any Obligor
generally to pay such Obligor's debts as such debts become due; (d) the
commencement as to any Obligor of any voluntary or involuntary proceeding under
any laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, debt
adjustment or debtor relief; (e) the assignment by any Obligor for the benefit
of such Obligor's creditors; (f) the appointment, or commencement of any
proceeding for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar
official for all or substantially all of any Obligor's property; (g) the
commencement of any proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of any
Obligor; (h) the termination of existence or death of any Obligor; (i) the
revocation of any guaranty or subordination agreement given in connection with
this note; (j) the failure of any Obligor to comply with any order, judgement,
injunction, decree, writ or demand of any court or other public authority; (k)
the filing or recording against any Obligor, or the property of any Obligor, of
any notice of levy, notice to withhold, or other legal process for taxes other
than property taxes; (I) the default by any Obligor personally liable for
amounts owed hereunder on any obligation concerning the borrowing of money; (m)
the issuance against any Obligor, or the property of any Obligor, of any writ of
attachment, execution, or other judicial lien; or (n) the deterioration of the
financial condition of any Obligor which results in Bank deeming itself, in good
faith, insecure. Upon the occurrence of any such default, Bank, in its
discretion, may cease to advance funds hereunder and may declare all obligations
under this note immediately due and payable; however, upon the occurrence of an
event of default under d, e, f, or g, all principal and interest shall
automatically become immediately due and payable.

6.    ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF DEBTOR. If any amounts owing under this note are
not paid when due, Debtor promises to pay all costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, (including the allocated costs of Bank's in-house
counsel and legal staff) incurred by Bank in the negotiation, documentation and
modification of this note and all related documents and in the collection or
enforcement of any amount outstanding hereunder. Debtor and any Obligor, for the
maximum period of time and the full extent permitted by law, (a) waive
diligence, presentment, demand, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of
protest, and notice of every kind; (b) waive the right to assert the defense of
any statute of limitations to any debt or obligation hereunder; and (c) consent
to renewals and extensions of time for the payment of 'any amounts due '.under
this note. If this note is signed by more than one party, the term "Debtor"
includes each of the undersigned and any successors in interest thereof; all of
whose liability shall be joint and several. Any married person who signs this
note agrees that recourse may be had against the separate property of that
person for any obligations hereunder. The receipt of any check or other item of
payment by Bank, at its option, shall not be considered a payment on account
until such check or other item of payment is honored when presented for payment
at the drawee bank. Bank may delay the credit of such payment based upon Bank's
schedule of funds availability, and interest under this note shall accrue until
the funds are deemed collected. In any action brought under or arising out of
this note, Debtor and any Obligor, including their successors and assigns,
hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any competent court within the State of
California, as provided in any alternative dispute resolution agreement executed
between Debtor and Bank, and consent to service of process by any means
authorized by said state's law. The term "Bank" includes, without limitation,
any holder of this note. This note shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of California. This note hereby incorporates
any alternative dispute resolution agreement previously, concurrently or
hereafter executed between Debtor and Bank.

7.    DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings
respectively set forth below: "Base Interest Rate" means a rate of interest
based on the LIBOR Rate. "Base Interest Rate Loan" means amounts outstanding
under this note that bear interest at a Base Interest Rate. "Base Rate Maturity
Date" means the last day of the Interest Period with respect to principal
outstanding under a Base Interest Rate Loan. "Business Day" means a day on which
Bank is open for business for the funding of corporate loans, and, with respect
to the rate of interest based on the LIBOR Rate, on which dealings in U.S.
dollar deposits outside of the United States may be carried on by Bank.
"Interest Period" means with respect to funds bearing interest at a rate based
on the LIBOR Rate, any calendar period of 1. 3. 6. 9 or 12 months. In
determining an Interest Period, a month means a period that starts on one
Business Day in a month and ends on and includes the day preceding the
numerically corresponding day in the next month. For any month in which there is
no such numerically corresponding day, then as to that month, such day shall be
deemed to be the last calendar day of such month. Any Interest Period which
would otherwise end on a non-Business Day shall end on the next succeeding
Business Day unless that is the first day of a month, in which event such
Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day. "LIBOR Rate" means
a per annum rate of interest (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest
1 /100 of

<PAGE>

1 %) at which dollar deposits, in immediately available funds and in lawful
money of the United States would be offered to Bank, outside of the United
States, for a term coinciding with the Interest Period selected by Debtor and
for an amount equal to the amount of principal covered by Debtor's interest rate
selection, plus Bank's costs, including the cost, if any, of reserve
requirements. "Origination Date" means the first day of the Interest Period.
"Reference Rate" means the rate announced by Bank from time to time at its
corporate headquarters as its Reference Rate. The Reference Rate is an index
rate determined by Bank from time to time as a means of pricing certain
extensions of credit and is neither directly tied to any external rate of
interest or index nor necessarily the lowest rate of interest charged by Bank at
any given time.

DEBTOR:

Sparta, Inc., a Delaware corporate

By: /s /   Robert Sepucha
    ---------------------------------------------
    Robert Sepucha, President/CEO

BY: /s/   David E. Schreiman
    ---------------------------------------------
    David E. Schreiman, VP/CFO<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(i)e

                       FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "First Amendment"),
dated as of March 15, 2004, is entered into among COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders listed on the signature pages
hereof as Lenders (the "Lenders"). BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative
Agent, THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD. and ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as
Co-Syndication Agents, and MELLON BANK, N.A. and BNP PARIBAS, as
Co-Documentation Agents.

                                   BACKGROUND

         A.       The Borrower, the Lenders, the Co-Syndication Agents, the
Co-Documentation Agents and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2003 (the "Credit Agreement"). The terms
defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall be used
herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

         B.       The Borrower has requested an amendment to the Credit
Agreement.

         C.       The Lenders, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation
Agents and the Administrative Agent hereby agree to amend the Credit Agreement,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, conditions and
agreements hereafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and adequacy of which are all hereby acknowledged, the Borrower, the
Lenders, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, and the
Administrative Agent covenant and agree as follows:

         1.       AMENDMENT. Section 7.03 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended to read as follows:

                  SECTION 7.03   MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS AND SALES OF ASSETS.

                  (a)      The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
         Material Subsidiary to, consolidate with or be a party to a merger with
         any other corporation; except:

                           (i)      any Material Domestic Subsidiary or any
                  Solvent Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into the
                  Borrower or any Material Domestic Subsidiary, so long as in
                  any merger or consolidation involving the Borrower, the
                  Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing corporation and
                  any merger or consolidation involving a Subsidiary that is not
                  a Material Domestic Subsidiary, the Borrower or the Material
                  Domestic Subsidiary shall be the surviving or continuing
                  corporation;

                           (ii)     the Borrower may consolidate or merge with
                  any other corporation provided (A) the Borrower shall be the
                  surviving or

                                       1
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                  continuing corporation, and (B) at the time of such
                  consolidation or merger and after giving effect thereto no
                  Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
                  continuing; and

                           (iii)    any Material Domestic Subsidiary may sell,
                  lease or otherwise dispose of all or any substantial part of
                  its assets to the Borrower or any Material Domestic
                  Subsidiary.

                  (b)      The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
         Subsidiary to, sell any of its assets, except for full, fair and
         reasonable consideration.

                  (c)      The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit CMC
         Steel Fabricators, Inc., d/b/a SMI Joist Co. (Hope, AR), Howell Metals
         Company, Owen Electric Steel Company of South Carolina, SMI Steel,
         Inc., and Structural Metals, Inc. (collectively, the "Securitizing
         Subsidiaries") to, sell, securitize or otherwise transfer or encumber
         accounts receivable resulting in funding aggregating more than
         $160,000,000 at any one time outstanding, except as the same may be
         permitted by Section 7.01, 7.03(a)(iii) or 7.03(b).

         2.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE; NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. By
its execution and delivery hereof, the Borrower represents and warrants that, as
of the date hereof:

         (a)      the representations and warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the
date hereof as made on and as of such date;

         (b)      no event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes a
Default or an Event of Default;

         (c)      (i) the Borrower has full power and authority to execute and
deliver this First Amendment, (ii) this First Amendment has been duly executed
and delivered by the Borrower, and (iii) this First Amendment and the Credit
Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws
and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought
in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except as rights to indemnity may be
limited by federal or state securities laws;

         (d)      neither the execution, delivery and performance of this First
Amendment or the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, nor the consummation of
any transactions contemplated herein or therein, will conflict with any Law or
Organization Documents of the Borrower, or any indenture, agreement or other
instrument to which the Borrower or any of their properties are subject; and

                                       2
<PAGE>

         (e)      no authorization, approval, consent, or other action by,
notice to, or filing with, any governmental authority or other Person (including
the board of directors of the Borrower) is required for the execution, delivery
or performance by the Borrower of this First Amendment.

         3.       CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. This First Amendment shall be
effective upon satisfaction or completion of the following:

         (a)      the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of
this First Amendment executed by the Required Lenders;

         (b)      the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of
this First Amendment executed by the Borrower; and

         (c)      the Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, such other
documents, certificates and instruments as the Administrative Agent shall
require.

         4.       REFERENCE TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

         (a)      Upon the effectiveness of this First Amendment, each reference
in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", or words of like
import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as affected and
amended hereby.

         (b)      The Credit Agreement, as amended by the amendments referred to
above, shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and
confirmed.

         5.       COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES. The Borrower agrees to pay on
demand all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the
preparation, reproduction, execution and delivery of this First Amendment and
the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder (including the
reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Administrative
Agent with respect thereto).

         6.       EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This First Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute
but one and the same instrument. For purposes of this First Amendment, a
counterpart hereof (or signature page thereto) signed and transmitted by any
Person party hereto to the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) by facsimile
machine, telecopier or electronic mail is to be treated as an original. The
signature of such Person thereon, for purposes hereof, is to be considered as an
original signature, and the counterpart (or signature page thereto) so
transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original
signature on an original document.

         7.       GOVERNING LAW; BINDING EFFECT. This First Amendment shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas
applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state,
provided that each party shall

                                       3
<PAGE>

retain all rights arising under federal law, and shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         8.       HEADINGS. Section headings in this First Amendment are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a
part of this First Amendment for any other purpose.

         9.       ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED BY THIS
FIRST AMENDMENT, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO
UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

                   REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

                                       4
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this First Amendment is executed as of the date
first set forth above.

                                             COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY

                                              By: /s/ Stanley A. Rabin
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Name:  Stanley A. Rabin
                                                  Title: Chairman of the Board,
                                                         President and
                                                         Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative
                                        Agent

                                        By: /s/ Brian D. Corum
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Brian D. Corum
                                           Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ Brian D. Corum
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Brian D. Corum
                                           Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                        THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
                                        as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ D. Barnell       /s/ J. Mearns
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  D. Barnell        J Mearns
                                           Title: Vice President    VP & Manager

<PAGE>

                                        ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as Co-Syndication
                                        Agent and as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ Angela Noique
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Angela Noique
                                           Title: Group Vice President

                                        By: /s/ Carla Sweet
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Carla Sweet
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                        MELLON BANK, N.A., as Co-Documentation
                                        Agent and as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ William M. Feathers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: William M. Feathers
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                        BNP PARIBAS, as Co-Documentation Agent
                                        and as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ Angela Arnold
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Angela Arnold
                                           Title: Vice President

                                        By: /s/ Craig Pierce
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Craig Pierce
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                        COMERCIA BANK, as a Lender

                                        By: /s/ Janet Wheeler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Janet Wheeler
                                           Title: Corporate Banking Officer

<PAGE>

                                        AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
                                        BANKING GROUP LIMITED

                                        By: /s/ John Wade
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: John Wade
                                           Title: Director
<PAGE>

                                        NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK

                                        By: /s/ Scott Tuhy
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Scott Tuhy
                                           Title: Director
<PAGE>

                                        THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                                        By: /s/ William E. Zarrett
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: William E. Zarrett
                                           Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                  SOCIETE GENERALE

                                  By: /s/ Craig A. Tashji   /s/ Bourence Tenesle
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name: Craig A. Tashji    Bourence Tenesle
                                       Title: Managing Director   Vice President

<PAGE>

                                           WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

                                           By: /s/ Yousuf Omar
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Yousuf Omar
                                           Title: Senior Relationship Manager

<PAGE>

                                        HARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC.
                                        (formerly known as BMO Nesbitt Burns
                                        Financing, Inc.)

                                        By: /s/ Joseph W. Linder
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Joseph W. Linder
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                        FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.

                                        By: /s/ Patrick Jaberg
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Patrick Jaberg
                                           Title: Sr. Associate

                                        By: /s/ Walter Vollebregt
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Walter Vollebregt
                                           Title: Director

<PAGE>

                                        HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK

                                        By: /s/ Michael R. Geissler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Michael R. Geissler
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                        HSBC BANK USA

                                        By: /s/ J.N. Wieser
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: J.N. Wieser
                                           Title: M.D.

<PAGE>

                                        SOUTHWEST BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

                                        By: /s/ Melinda N. Jackson
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Melinda N. Jackson
                                           Title: Senior Vice President

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