Document:

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                                                                 Exhibit 10(j)

                                    AGREEMENT

            THIS AGREEMENT is made between LESCO, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the
"Company"), and Jeffrey L. Rutherford (the "Executive"), as of the 30 day of
September, 2002.

            WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into a Retention
Agreement dated as of February 18, 2002, as amended pursuant to the Amendment to
Lesco Inc. Retention Agreement dated as of ______________________ (said
Retention Agreement, as amended, being hereinafter referred to as the "Retention
Agreement"); and

            WHEREAS, the Retention Agreement provides for the provision of
severance payments to the Executive in connection with a Change of Control (as
that term is defined in the Retention Agreement), all on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth therein; and

            WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement, which
provides for the provision of severance payments to the Executive in
circumstances which do not involve a Change of Control, all on the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;

            NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, including,
without limitation, the prior grant of 45,000 options to purchase the Company's
common stock and the provision for the making of severance payments subject to
certain conditions, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

            1.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death.
If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred (as Disability is defined below), it may give to the Executive written
notice in accordance with Section 5(b) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within
the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be
total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.

            (b)   CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

            (i)   the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness) for 10 or more days after a written demand for substantial performance
is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically
identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes
that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties; or

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            (ii)  the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross negligence or gross misconduct; or

            (iii) the Executive's conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest
to, a felony.

            (c)   GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated by
the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean:

            (i)   the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any material respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities, or
any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;

            (ii)  any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than for Cause; or

            (iii) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
4(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 1(c), Executive shall be deemed to have consented
to any of the items listed in clause (i) unless he gives written notice of his
objection to the Chief Executive Officer within 90 days of the event.

            (d)   NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 5(b) of
this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 30
days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the
Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

            (e)   DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date (within 30 days after that date) specified therein, as the case
may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which
the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date
of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.

                                      -2-
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            2.    OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT NOT
IN CONNECTION WITH A CHANGE OF CONTROL. (a) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE,
DEATH OR DISABILITY. If the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment
other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment
for Good Reason:

            (i)   the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:

                  (1)   the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
                        Termination to the extent not therefore paid (the
                        "Accrued Obligations"); and

                  (2)   the amount equal to the Executive's Annual Base Salary
                        (exclusive of any bonus).

            (ii)  for one year after the Executive's Date of Termination, the
Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family
at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance
with the Company's welfare benefit plans, programs, practices and policies if
the Executive's employment had not been terminated, provided, however, that if
the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan,
the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to
those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility; and

            (iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide
the Executive with reasonable outplacement services the scope and provider of
which shall be selected by the Company.

            (b)   DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's death, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to
the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

            (c)   DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's Disability, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

            (d)   CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the
Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and (y) the
amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each case to
the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates his
employment, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued

                                      -3-
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Obligations. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

            3.    NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein
limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled
to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or
agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent
to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan,
policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement.

            4.    SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive
and shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

            (b)   This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

            (c)   The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as
hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.

            5.    MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. This Agreement may not be amended or modified
otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.

            (b)   All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

IF TO THE EXECUTIVE:       14784 River Glen Drive
                           Novelty, OH 44072

IF TO THE COMPANY:         LESCO, INC.
                           15885 Sprague Road
                           Strongsville, Ohio 44136-1799
                           Attention: Patricia W. Pribisko,
                           Vice President, General Counsel and
                           Corporate Secretary

                                      -4-
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communication shall be effective when
actually received by the addressee.

            (c)   The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.

            (d)   The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such federal, state, local and/or foreign taxes as shall be required
to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

            (e)   The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, shall not be deemed to be
a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.

            (f)   The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and
the Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time.

            6.    EMPLOYMENT BY LESCO SERVICES, INC. (a) In the event that the
Executive's employment is transferred to LESCO Services, Inc., LESCO Services,
Inc. shall be substituted for LESCO, Inc. in all respects hereunder.

            (b)   In the event that LESCO Services, Inc. fails to perform any of
its obligations under this Agreement, LESCO, Inc. shall perform such obligations
in the same manner and to the same extent that LESCO Services, Inc. is required
under this Agreement.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf by the
undersigned officer.

LESCO, INC.                                    EXECUTIVE

By: /s/ MICHAEL P. DIMINO                      /s/ JEFFREY L. RUTHERFORD
   ------------------------------------        ---------------------------------
Title:  President and                          Jeffrey L. Rutherford
        Chief Executive Officer

                                      -5-<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(k)

                              SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                              ---------- ---------
                              Patricia W. Pribisko
                              --------------------
                               September 18, 2002
                               ------------------

LESCO, Inc. and you, Patricia W. Pribisko, hereby agree that you have left your
employment with LESCO, Inc. effective September 18, 2002. It is understood and
agreed by you and by LESCO, Inc. that the termination of your employment is a
result of the elimination by LESCO, Inc. of your position as Sr. Vice President
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary with LESCO, Inc. effective September 18,
2002. LESCO has agreed to provide you with a Separation Plan which is attached
hereto and made a part hereof.

It is understood that receipt of the consideration set forth in the Separation
Plan is contingent upon you returning to LESCO, Inc. all property belonging to
LESCO, Inc. within thirty (30) days of your last work day, and also contingent
upon you agreeing to the terms of this Agreement. You waive any claim you might
have to reemployment and agree that you will not seek reemployment with LESCO,
Inc. at any time in the future. You further acknowledge and agree that you are
not otherwise entitled to receive the Separation Pay and certain other benefits
set forth in the Separation Plan.

You understand and agree that this Agreement and Separation Plan described in
this Agreement do not constitute an admission by LESCO, Inc. or any of its
employees, officers, directors, representatives, or related entities of any
liability to you or wrongdoing whatsoever.

You understand and agree that you will not make any derogatory, defamatory or
libelous remarks about LESCO, Inc., its employees, officers, directors,
representatives, related entities, or its customers. LESCO, Inc. agrees that it
will not make any derogatory, defamatory or libelous remarks about you. In
response to any prospective employer of you contacting LESCO, Inc. as an
employment reference, LESCO, Inc. will only disclose your dates of employment,
final base salary (when requested in writing) and positions held, and shall make
no other statement.

You agree to keep the terms of this Agreement and of your Separation Plan
confidential, and you will not publicize it or communicate it in any newspaper,
electronic media or other public or private forum, or in any manner whatsoever,
except to your immediate family and legal, financial and other similar advisors,
provided that they agree to keep this Agreement and your Separation Plan
confidential. Also, you will not divulge any of LESCO, Inc.'s proprietary
information, client lists or other confidential business data to its competitors
or to any third parties.

You acknowledge that no promise or agreement not expressed in this Agreement;
the Separation Plan; and the applicable bonus plans, stock option plans and
benefit plans pursuant thereto has been made to you, and that this Agreement;
the Separation Plan; and the applicable bonus plans, stock option plans and
benefit plans pursuant thereto constitutes the complete agreement between you
and LESCO, Inc.

In consideration of the above mentioned Separation Plan, the adequacy and
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and except for your rights which accrue
under this Agreement and the Separation Plan, LESCO, Inc. is released from any
and all liability related to or arising from your employment and/or termination
of your employment. You agree that by placing your signature on this Separation
Agreement you do waive and fully release LESCO, Inc., and its employees,

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officers, directors, representatives, and related entities from any claims,
charges, actions and/or demands, known or unknown, now existing, relating in any
way to your employment and/or the termination of your employment with LESCO,
Inc., including, but not limited to, any claims or demands under any federal,
state or local law, statute, order or ordinance, including, but not limited to,
those relating to nondiscrimination in employment because of race, sex, color,
national origin, age or disability. You specifically waive any rights or claims
arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), 29 U.S.C.
Section 623, ET SEQ. This release will not apply to rights or claims under the
ADEA which arise after this Agreement is signed by you.

Except for your rights which accrue under this Agreement and the Separation
Plan, you promise not to sue LESCO for any reason relating to your employment
with or termination from LESCO. And, if you break this promise not to sue, you
agree to waive any right to recovery under any such suit brought by you or any
governmental agency on your behalf, and you also agree to pay all of LESCO's
damages, costs and expenses, including LESCO's attorney's fees, in defending any
such suit.

You understand that the Agreement for Officers, Zone Vice Presidents, Key
Executives, and National Account Executives that you previously signed, and all
restrictive covenants contained in that Agreement, shall remain in full force
and effect until provisions in the Agreement expire as stated therein.

You may sue LESCO only for breach of this Agreement and the Separation Plan by
LESCO. If you prevail in any such suit (through all levels of appeal and
remand), then LESCO shall pay all of your reasonable costs and expenses,
including attorney's fees, that relate to such suit. Conversely, LESCO may sue
you for a breach of this Agreement by you. If LESCO prevails in any such suit
against you (through all levels of appeal and remand), then you shall pay all of
LESCO's reasonable cost and expenses, including attorney's fees, that relate to
such suit.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, or in the Separation
Plan, LESCO shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend you and your heirs and
successors, from and after the date hereof, against and in respect of any loss,
cost, damage, suit, action, or claim (including reasonable attorney's fees,
costs, and expenses) incurred, sustained or suffered by you as a result of your
acts, actions, or omissions to act as an employee or officer of LESCO, but only
to the extent permitted under the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or
Regulations of LESCO, and only to the extent permitted by relevant law; and
provided further, however, that such obligations of LESCO shall be limited to
those situations where your acts or omissions were reasonable and within the
course and scope of your duties and responsibilities and were not reckless,
willful or wanton.

This Agreement and the Separation Plan shall extend to and be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

You acknowledge and agree that you have been given a period of twenty-one (21)
days (until October 9, 2002) within which to consider the terms of this
agreement. You acknowledge that there are no other LESCO employees in your job
classification and there are no LESCO employees in your job classification being
terminated. LESCO, Inc. hereby advises that you consult with an attorney or any
other professional, such as accountants and financial advisors, concerning the
terms of this Agreement and your entry into it. Of course, you will be
responsible for your fees and costs should you choose to have an attorney and/or
other professional review this Agreement.

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For a period of seven (7) days after you sign the Agreement and return it to
LESCO, Inc. you may revoke it by advising LESCO, Inc., to the attention of
Maureen Thompson, Vice President Human Resources, in writing that you have
decided to revoke it. This Agreement will not become effective until that period
has expired.

LESCO, INC.

By:   /s/ Maureen Thompson               Signature:   /s/ Patricia W. Pribisko
    -----------------------------                   ----------------------------
          Maureen Thompson                                Patricia W. Pribisko

Date:  September 18, 2002                 Date:     October 3, 2002
                                                    ----------------------------

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          ATTACHMENT TO SEPARATION AGREEMENT FOR PATRICIA W. PRIBISKO
                            DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 2002

                              Patricia W. Pribisko
                                Separation Plan
                          Effective September 18, 2002

INTRODUCTION

Effective September 18, 2002 your position as Sr. Vice President General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary has been eliminated.

Please review the details of the attached Separation Agreement carefully and
sign on the line provided. Please return one copy of the signed agreement to
Maureen Thompson on or before October 9, 2002. You will not receive your
separation pay until we receive your signed Separation Agreement and the 7-day
period for revoking the agreement has expired.

SEPARATION PAY

You will receive separation pay equal to your monthly base salary, on a biweekly
basis, at the rate in effect as of the date hereof for a period of twelve (12)
months. You will also be paid for any accrued unused vacation for 2002.

BONUS

You will be eligible for a lump sum bonus payment pursuant to the 2002 LESCO
Bonus Program of 40% of your base salary, provided that the objectives listed in
the Bonus Plan are met. You are also eligible for payment pursuant to the
2000-2002 Restricted Shares Plan, provided that the objectives listed in the
Restricted Share Plan are met. Payment will be made to you under those Plans no
later than those payments made to similarly situated employees.

STOCK OPTIONS

Subject to approval by the Board of Directors, of the option grants made to you
under the LESCO, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan on February 15, 2002 for 45,000
common shares, 30,000 will vest immediately, and you will forfeit the remaining
15,000 common shares that would have vested on December 31, 2004. In
consideration of the vesting of the 30,000 shares subject to the February 15,
2002 option grant and the Separation Pay Period extending from September 19,
2002 through September 18, 2003, you agree that you are forfeiting the 41,979
common shares subject to option which were granted prior to and vested on or
prior to December 31, 2000, leaving you with 38,333 common shares subject to
option (8,333 from the 2001 stock option grant and 30,000 from the 2002 stock
option grant made to you) pursuant to and governed by the terms of the LESCO,
Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

The attached chart details all stock options and their expiration dates in
effect on September 18, 2002.

<PAGE>

BENEFIT COVERAGE

You will continue to receive health and dental benefits through September 18,
2003. Enrollment for the 2003 LESCO benefit program will be forwarded to you by
the end of November 2002. COBRA information to extend your health care benefits
(after your eligibility for LESCO's benefits ceases on September 30, 2003) will
be sent directly to your home address from LESCO's COBRA vendor.

Your life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance will terminate on
September 18, 2002. You will be given the opportunity to convert you life
insurance coverage, provided you apply for conversion within 31 days of the date
your coverage ends. A MetLife Conversion of Group Life Insurance form will be
mailed to you under separate cover. Your short term and long term disability
coverage will also terminate on September 18, 2002.

In lieu of your participation in the life and accidental death and dismemberment
insurance plan you will be provided a cash lump-sum payment of $692.00.

401(k) AND RESTORATION PLAN

Participation in the LESCO, Inc., Stock Investment & Salary Saving Plan and
Trust and the LESCO, Inc., 401(k) Restoration Plan will end as of September 18,
2002.

In lieu of your participation in the 401(k) plan you will be provided with a
lump-sum cash payment of $5,638.00.

OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES

An outplacement program has been established for you at no cost to you. This
program is through Lee Hecht Harrison, 25000 Country Club Road, Suite 210, North
Olmsted, Ohio 44070. They will provide an executive level program for a 12-month
period, Beginning on September 30, 2002.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

You should contact the Bureau of Employment Services to receive a determination
of benefits. LESCO will not oppose the granting of such benefits.

ASSOCIATE DISCOUNT

Your participation in the Associate Discount Program will cease as of September
18, 2002.

COMPANY PROPERTY

Please return all company property and company documents, i.e., credit cards,
strategic plan documents, computer disks, you lap top computer, keys, key cards,
all files and documents, etc. to Maureen Thompson immediately. You will not
receive your Separation Pay until all company property and documents are
returned.

<PAGE>

OTHER

Non-LESCO business mail will be forwarded to your home address. Persons calling
LESCO who ask for you for non-LESCO business reasons will be told that you are
no longer employed by LESCO, but that you can be contacted on your cell phone at
440-725-0910 or at your home number at 440-892-8616. When you obtain phone voice
mailbox at Lee Hecht Harrison and provide Maureen Thompson with that phone
number, we will also tell such persons who call for you that you can be
contacted at that office number as well.

QUESTIONS

Please contact Maureen Thompson should you have questions regarding this
Separation Plan.

LESCO, INC.

By:  /s/ Maureen Thompson             Signature:  /s/ Patricia W. Pribisko
    -------------------------                    ----------------------------
         Maureen Thompson                             Patricia W. Pribisko

Date: September 18, 2002              Date:      October 3, 2002
                                                 ----------------------------

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