Document:

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                                                                  Exhibit 10(jj)

                              SUPERIOR TELECOM INC.

                           DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT PLAN

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
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                                                                                          PAGE
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<S>               <C>                                                                     <C>
ARTICLE  I.       PURPOSE....................................................................1

ARTICLE  II.      DEFINITIONS................................................................1

ARTICLE  III.     ADMINISTRATION.............................................................4

ARTICLE  IV.      SHARES; ADJUSTMENT UPON CERTAIN EVENTS.....................................5

ARTICLE  V.       ELECTIONS..................................................................6

ARTICLE  VI.      MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.....................................................8

ARTICLE  VII.     ESTABLISHMENT OF DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT....................................8

ARTICLE  VIII.    ADDITIONS TO DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT........................................9

ARTICLE  IX.      COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS...................................................9

ARTICLE  X.       FORFEITURE................................................................10

ARTICLE  XI.      CLAIMS PROCEDURE..........................................................10

ARTICLE  XII.     NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS................................................11

ARTICLE  XIII.    CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS..............................................11

ARTICLE XIV.      TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN......................................12

ARTICLE XV.    UNFUNDED PLAN................................................................13

ARTICLE XVI.   GENERAL PROVISIONS...........................................................13

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                              SUPERIOR TELECOM INC.
                           DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     PURPOSE

        The purpose of the Plan, which is established along with a "rabbi
trust," is to provide a select group of management and highly compensated
employees of the Employer with the opportunity to: (i) defer the receipt of all
or a portion of his or her Bonus; (ii) defer delivery of Stock Option Gains; and
(iii) receive an employer Matching Contribution in shares of Common Stock in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DEFINITIONS

        For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

        II.1 "AFFILIATE" shall mean each of the following: (i) any Subsidiary;
(ii) any Parent; (iii) any corporation, trade or business (including, without
limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or
indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an
equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its
Affiliates; and (iv) any other entity in which the Company or any of its
Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an
"Affiliate" by resolution of the Committee.

        II.2 "BENEFICIARY" shall mean the individual designated by the
Participant, on a form acceptable by the Committee, to receive benefits payable
under the Plan in the event of the Participant's death. If no Beneficiary is
designated, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be his or her spouse, or if the
Participant is not married, the Participant's estate. Upon the acceptance by the
Committee of a new Beneficiary designation, all Beneficiary designations
previously filed shall be canceled. The Committee shall be entitled to rely on
the last Beneficiary designation filed by the Participant and accepted by the
Committee prior to his or her death.

        II.3 "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

        II.4 "BONUS" shall mean a Participant's performance bonus or any other
bonus (whether or not discretionary) paid by the Employer to the Participant in
shares of Common Stock, including shares of restricted Common Stock, that is
designated by the Committee as eligible for deferral under the Plan.

        II.5 "CAUSE" shall mean with respect to a Participant's Termination of
Employment, a Participant's fraud, embezzlement or commission of a crime with
regard to the Employer or its assets or a Participant's breach of any
noncompetition or nonsolicitation provision or breach of confidentiality, to the
extent set forth in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company.
The Committee shall have sole discretion in determining whether Cause exists,
and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

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Company. The Committee shall have sole discretion in determining whether Cause
exists, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

        II.6 "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.2.

        II.7 "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any
successor provision.

        II.8 "COMMITTEE" shall mean the Stock Option Committee of the Board or
such other committee of the Board which consists solely of at least two
non-employee directors, each of whom is intended to be an "outside director," as
defined under Section 162(m) of the Code and a "non-employee director," as
defined under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. In the event that the Committee
does not satisfy such requirements, it shall not affect the validity of any
contributions or deferral elections hereunder.

        II.9 "COMMON STOCK" shall mean common stock, $.01 par value per share,
of the Company.

        II.10 "COMPANY" shall mean Superior TeleCom Inc. or any successor
corporation by merger, consolidation or transfer of assets substantially as a
whole.

        II.11 "DEEMED DIVIDENDS" shall mean the amount of dividends (whether
stock or cash), if any, which are declared on a share of Common Stock multiplied
by the number of shares of Common Stock credited to the Deferred Stock Account.

        II.12 "DEFERRAL PERIOD" shall mean the earlier of: (i) the period of
deferral selected by the Participant for the period described in Section 5.1(b),
as may be extended pursuant to Section 5.1(c) or (ii) the period beginning on
the effective date of a deferral election and ending on a Participant's
Termination of Employment.

        II.13 "DEFERRED BONUS" shall mean the Bonus deferred by a Participant
under Section 5.1(a)(i) hereof.

        II.14 "DEFERRED STOCK OPTION GAINS" shall mean the Stock Option Gains
deferred under Section 5.1(a)(ii) hereof.

        II.15 "DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT" shall mean the individual account
established pursuant to Article VII to which a Participant's Deferred Bonus and
Deferred Stock Option Gains are credited.

        II.16 "DISABILITY" shall mean any disability as determined under the
Employer's long term disability policies, provided that the Participant is
entitled to and is receiving long term disability benefits under such policies.

        II.17 "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean June 1, 1999.

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        II.18 "ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE" shall mean an Employee who is a member of a
select group of management or highly compensated employees and who is designated
by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as an Eligible Employee. Any Eligible
Employee shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Plan until he or
she ceases to be an Eligible Employee, whether by reason of his or her
Termination of Employment or by reason of the Committee's determination in its
sole discretion that he or she should no longer be designated as an Eligible
Employee.

        II.19 "ELIGIBLE STOCK OPTION" shall mean one or more nonqualified stock
options (including incentive stock options disqualified as such and treated as
nonqualified stock options) selected by the Committee in its sole discretion as
eligible for deferral of Stock Option Gains hereunder.

        II.20 "EMPLOYEE" shall mean any person employed by the Employer
excluding any "leased employee," as defined in Section 414(n) of the Code, any
independent contractor or agent.

        II.21 "EMPLOYER" shall mean the Company and any Affiliate.

        II.22 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

        II.23 "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

        II.24 "MATCHING CONTRIBUTION" shall mean the contribution made pursuant
to Article VI hereof.

        II.25 "PARENT" shall mean any parent corporation of the Company within
the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

        II.26 "PARTICIPANT" shall mean any Eligible Employee who: (i) elects to
defer his or her Bonus or Stock Option Gains in accordance with the terms
hereunder; and (ii) has a balance in his or her Deferred Stock Account under the
Plan. A Participant shall cease to be permitted to defer his or her Bonus or
Stock Option Gains with regard to a Plan Year if he or she is not, or ceases to
be, an Eligible Employee with regard to the Plan.

        II.27 "PLAN" shall mean the Superior TeleCom Inc. Deferred Stock Account
Plan.

        II.28 "PLAN YEAR" shall mean the calendar year, except that the first
Plan Year shall be the short Plan Year commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on December 31, 1999.

        II.29 "STOCK-FOR-STOCK EXERCISE" shall mean the payment of the exercise
price of the Eligible Stock Option with Common Stock owned by the Participant
for at least six (6) months (and for which the Participant has good title free
and clear of any liens and encumbrances and has represented that he has owned
the shares of Common Stock for at least six (6) months) based on the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the exercise date. The Committee (or its delegate),
in its sole discretion, shall determine whether payment of the exercise price of
the

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Eligible Stock Option with Common Stock may be accomplished through attestation
or by physical tender of the shares.

        II.30 "STOCK OPTION GAINS" shall mean the number of shares of Common
Stock equal in number to (i) the shares of Common Stock subject to an Eligible
Stock Option less (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to satisfy
the exercise price for the Eligible Stock Option pursuant to a Stock-for-Stock
Exercise.

        II.31 "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any corporation that is defined as a
subsidiary corporation in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        II.32 "TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT" shall mean termination of employment
as an Employee of the Employer for any reason whatsoever, including but not
limited to death, retirement, resignation, Disability, dismissal (with or
without Cause) or the cessation of an entity as an Affiliate.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                 ADMINISTRATION

        III.1 THE COMMITTEE.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

        III.2 DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE. The Committee (or its delegate) shall
have the exclusive right, power and authority to administer, apply and interpret
the Plan and any other Plan documents and to decide any questions and settle all
controversies and disputes that may arise in connection with the operation or
administration of the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Committee shall have the sole and absolute discretionary authority: (i) to
take all actions and make all decisions with respect to the eligibility for, and
the amount of, benefits payable under the Plan; (ii) to formulate, interpret and
apply rules, regulations and policies necessary to administer the Plan in
accordance with its terms; (iii) to decide questions, including legal or factual
questions, relating to the calculation and payment of benefits under the Plan;
(iv) to resolve and/or clarify any ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions
arising under the Plan or other Plan documents; and (v) to process and approve
or deny benefit claims and rule on any benefit exclusions. All determinations
made by the Committee (or any delegate) with respect to any matter arising under
the Plan and any other Plan documents including, without limitation, the
interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all parties.

        III.3 ADVISORS. The Company, the Board or the Committee may employ such
legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the
administration of the Plan, and the Committee may rely upon any advice or
opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation
received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred for the engagement
of such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee
may also rely on information, and consider recommendations, provided by the
Board or the executive officers of the Company.

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        III.4 ACTION BY MAJORITY. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a
majority of its members attending a meeting at which a quorum is present (which
meeting may be held telephonically), or by written action in accordance with
applicable law.

        III.5 LIABILITY OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. No member of the Committee and no
officer, director or employee of the Employer shall be liable for any action or
inaction with respect to his or her functions under the Plan unless such action
or inaction is adjudged to be due to fraud. Further, no such person shall be
personally liable merely by virtue of any instrument executed by him or her or
on his or her behalf in connection with the Plan.

        III.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Each Employer shall
indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law and its Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws (but only to the extent not covered by insurance) its
officers and directors (and any employee involved in carrying out the functions
of the Employer under the Plan) and each member of the Committee against any
expenses, including amounts paid in settlement of a liability, which are
reasonably incurred in connection with any legal action to which such person is
a party by reason of his or her duties or responsibilities with respect to the
Plan (other than as a Participant).

        III.7 SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Committee shall impose such rules
designed to facilitate compliance with Federal and state securities laws,
including to the extent applicable, the limitations of Section 4(2) and Rule 701
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and shall have the authority to
suspend the Plan and take any action necessary, including revoking a
Participant's deferral elections, prospectively and/or retroactively, to ensure
that the Plan complies with Federal and state securities laws.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     SHARES; ADJUSTMENT UPON CERTAIN EVENTS

        IV.1 SHARES TO BE DELIVERED. Shares to be delivered under the Plan shall
be: (i) with respect to shares of Common Stock contributed as a Matching
Contribution, shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company and held in
treasury; (ii) with respect to shares of Common Stock deferred as Deferred Stock
Option Gains upon the exercise of an Eligible Stock Option, shares of Common
Stock held under the applicable stock option plan of the Company, including,
without limitation, the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan; or (iii) with respect
to shares of Common Stock deferred as Deferred Bonus, either (x) shares of
Common Stock held under the applicable restricted stock plan of the Company, if
any, or (y) shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company and held in
treasury.

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        IV.2   ADJUSTMENTS UPON CERTAIN EVENTS.

               (a) ADJUSTMENTS. The existence of the Plan and any Deferred Stock
        Account shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or
        the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment,
        recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's
        capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the
        Company, any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference
        stocks ahead of or affecting Common Stock, the dissolution or
        liquidation of the Company or any sale or transfer of all or part of the
        assets or business of the Company, or any other corporate act or
        proceeding.

               (b) CAPITAL STRUCTURE. In the event of (i) any such change in the
        capital structure or business of the Company by reason of any stock
        dividend or distribution, stock split or reverse stock split,
        recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up,
        combination or exchange of shares, distribution with respect to its
        outstanding Common Stock or capital stock other than Common Stock, sale
        or transfer of all or part of its assets or business, reclassification
        of its capital stock, or any similar change affecting the Company's
        capital structure or business and (ii) the Committee determines an
        adjustment is appropriate under the Plan, then the aggregate number and
        kind of shares of Common Stock held in the Deferred Stock Account shall
        be appropriately adjusted consistent with such change in such manner as
        the Committee may deem necessary to reflect the change, and any such
        adjustment determined by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive
        on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs,
        executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

               (c) FRACTIONAL SHARES. Fractional shares of Common Stock
        resulting from any adjustment in shares of Common Stock pursuant to
        Section 4.2(a) or (b) or any other provision hereunder shall be
        aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise by
        rounding-down for fractions less than one-half (1/2) and rounding-up for
        fractions equal to or greater than one-half (1/2). No cash settlements
        shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.
        Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each
        Participant whose Deferred Stock Account has been adjusted and such
        adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and
        binding for all purposes of the Plan.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    ELECTIONS

        V.1    ELECTIONS.

               (a) AMOUNT OF DEFERRAL. An Eligible Employee may elect in writing
on a form prescribed by the Employer to defer the receipt of all or a portion
(in whole percentages) of his or her: (i) Bonus, subject to a minimum deferral
of at least fifteen percent (15%) of his or her Bonus; and (ii) Stock Option
Gains. With respect to any discretionary Bonus, the Committee in its sole
discretion may automatically defer all or a portion of any discretionary Bonus
of an

                                      -6-
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Eligible Employee without such Eligible Employee electing to defer such Bonus or
consenting to such deferral (except that an Eligible Employee may be required to
select the required length of the Deferral Period under Section 5.1(b) hereof).

               (b) LENGTH OF DEFERRAL. An Eligible Employee making an election
pursuant to Section 5.1(a) hereof or, if so determined by the Committee, an
Eligible Employee receiving an automatic deferred Bonus, shall also elect a
Deferral Period of either two (2), three (3), five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15)
years, which Deferral Period shall begin on the day on which a Deferred Bonus
and/or Deferred Stock Option Gains would otherwise have been paid. If an
Eligible Employee makes an election under Section 5.1(a) but makes no election
under Section 5.1(b), then the Deferral Period shall be two (2) years.

               (c) EXTENSION OF DEFERRAL PERIOD. Notwithstanding any election
made pursuant to Section 5.1(b) above, a Participant may elect to extend any
Deferral Period on a form prescribed by the Committee for either two (2), three
(3), five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15) additional years, provided that any such
election is made at least one (1) year prior to the expiration of the applicable
Deferral Period. Each election to extend a Deferral Period shall be irrevocable.

        V.2    TIMING AND MANNER OF BONUS DEFERRAL ELECTION.

               (a) METHOD OF ELECTION. Any election to defer payment of a
Participant's Bonus shall be made by the Participant in writing to the Committee
on a form prescribed by the Employer on or before the first day of the second
quarter of the Company's fiscal year to which the Bonus relates; provided,
however, that with respect to Participant's Bonus for the 1999 Plan Year, any
election under this Section 5.2(a) shall be made in writing at the time
specified by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an election to defer
payment of a Bonus which is in the form of shares of restricted Common Stock
shall be made by the Participant in writing to the Committee on a form
prescribed by the Employer at least six (6) months prior to the date on which
the restrictions on such shares of restricted Common Stock lapse.

               (b) IRREVOCABLE ELECTION. An election with respect to a
Participant's Bonus under this Article V is irrevocable. An election with
respect to a Participant's Bonus (other than a Bonus which is in the form of
shares of restricted Common Stock) is valid only for the fiscal year of the
Company with respect to which the election is made. If a new election is not
made with respect to any subsequent fiscal year of the Company under Section
5.1(a), a Participant's Bonus (other than a Bonus which is in the form of shares
of restricted Common Stock) earned in such fiscal year shall not be deferred
under the Plan. An election with respect to a Bonus which is in the form of
shares of restricted Common Stock is valid only for shares of restricted Common
Stock for which the restrictions lapse at any time after six (6) months
following the election.

               (c) MID-YEAR PARTICIPATION. An individual who becomes an Eligible
Employee after the date by which an election would otherwise be required to be
made hereunder may elect to become a Participant (solely with respect to Bonus
earned after an election pursuant to Section 5.1(a) is executed and delivered to
the Employer pursuant to the procedures

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established by the Committee) within thirty (30) days after the individual
becomes an Eligible Employee, by making an election, in writing, on a form
prescribed by the Committee.

        V.3 TIMING AND MANNER OF STOCK OPTION GAINS DEFERRAL ELECTION. Any
election to defer payment of a Participant's Stock Option Gains shall be made by
the Participant in writing to the Committee on a form prescribed by the Employer
at least six (6) months prior to the date the Participant exercises the Eligible
Stock Option. The deferral election for such Eligible Stock Option shall be
irrevocable and shall apply to the Participant's exercise of the Eligible Stock
Option at any time after six (6) months following the election until the
expiration date of the Eligible Stock Option.

        V.4 CHANGE IN STATUS. An election made pursuant to Section 5.1 by a
Participant who ceases to be an Eligible Employee but who does not incur a
Termination of Employment shall remain in effect and such Participant shall not
be entitled to receive a distribution from the Plan solely as a result of such
change in status.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS

               The Employer shall contribute a Matching Contribution in shares
of Common Stock to a Participant's Deferred Stock Account equal to: (i) 25% of
the Deferred Stock Account deferred for at least three (3) years and (ii) 25% of
the Deferred Stock Account deferred for at least five (5) years. Any Matching
Contribution shall be credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account as
soon as practicable following satisfaction of the three (3) year period (with
respect to Deferral Periods of at least three (3) years or at least three (3)
years but less than five (5) years) or the three (3) year and the five (5) year
periods, as applicable (with respect to Deferral Periods of at least five (5)
years). For purposes of this Article VI, with respect to Deferred Bonus which is
in the form of shares of restricted Common Stock, such shares shall be treated
as if the Deferral Period commenced on the date such shares of restricted Common
Stock were awarded to the Participant notwithstanding that such shares are held
in the custody of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                     ESTABLISHMENT OF DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT

        VII.1 CREDITING OF DEFERRALS. Deferred Bonus and Deferred Stock Option
Gains shall be credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account not later
than the date such amount would otherwise be payable to the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Deferred Bonus which is in the
form of shares of restricted Common Stock, the Company shall retain custody of
the shares of restricted Common Stock during the applicable restriction period
and shall credit such shares to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account not
later than the date immediately prior to the date the applicable restriction
period expires.

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        VII.2 VESTING. A Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be fully
vested at all times, except that with regard to shares of restricted Common
Stock, such shares and any Matching Contributions with regard thereto, shall not
be vested until the date the applicable restriction period expires.

        VII.3 OWNERSHIP. Prior to the end of the Deferral Period, the
Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder of the Company with
respect to shares of Common Stock held in a Participant's Deferred Stock
Account, except the right to have Deemed Dividends, if any, credited to his or
her Deferred Stock Account and adjustment made to the shares of Common Stock
under the Deferred Stock Account under Article IV.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                       ADDITIONS TO DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT

        VIII.1 PLAN INVESTMENTS. Amounts deferred under the Plan shall be held
solely in the form of Common Stock.

        VIII.2 DIVIDENDS. At such time or times as any dividends on Common Stock
shall be distributed to the Company's stockholders, the Company shall credit to
the Deferred Stock Account the Deemed Dividends. Deemed Dividends so credited to
the Deferred Stock Account which are cash dividends shall be reinvested in
shares of Common Stock (based on the fair market value of such shares on the
date the dividend is paid).

                                   ARTICLE IX

                            COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS

        Except as otherwise provided in this Article IX and Article XIII, a
Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be paid to the Participant (or, in
the case of the Participant's death, his or her Beneficiary) in a lump sum
payment payable solely in shares of Common Stock as soon as administratively
practicable after the earlier of the following to occur: (i) a Participant's
Termination of Employment; or (ii) the end of the applicable Deferral Period. A
Participant shall not be entitled to, and the Employer shall not be obligated to
pay to such Participant, the whole or any part of the amounts deferred under the
Plan, except as provided in the Plan.

        Any remaining fractional shares of Common Stock shall be treated in the
manner described in Section 4.2(c) hereof.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                   FORFEITURE

        Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary hereunder, in the event
that a Participant is terminated by the Employer for Cause, the Participant's
Deferred Stock Account excluding any Matching Contributions shall be paid to the
Participant in a lump sum payment consisting solely of shares of Common Stock as
soon as administratively practicable after such termination.

                                      -9-
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                                   ARTICLE XI

                                CLAIMS PROCEDURE

        Any claim by a Participant or Beneficiary ("Claimant") with respect to
eligibility, participation, contributions, benefits or other aspects of the
operation of the Plan shall be made in writing to the Committee or such other
person designated by the Committee from time to time for such purpose. If the
Committee believes that the claim should be denied, the Committee shall notify
the Claimant in writing of the denial of the claim within ninety (90) days after
receipt thereof (this period may be extended an additional ninety (90) days in
special circumstances and, in such event, the Claimant shall be notified in
writing of the extension). Such notice shall (i) set forth the specific reason
or reasons for the denial making reference to the pertinent provisions of the
Plan or of Plan documents on which the denial is based; (ii) describe any
additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim, and explain
why such material or information, if any, is necessary; and (iii) inform the
Claimant of his or her right pursuant to this section to request review of the
decision.

        A Claimant may appeal the denial of a claim by submitting a written
request for review to the Committee, within sixty (60) days after the date on
which such denial is received. Such period may be extended by the Committee for
good cause shown. The claim will then be reviewed by the Committee. A Claimant
or his or her duly authorized representative may discuss any issues relevant to
the claim, may review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in
writing. If the Committee deems it appropriate, it may hold a hearing as to a
claim. If a hearing is held, the Claimant shall be entitled to be represented by
counsel. The Committee shall decide whether or not to grant the claim within
sixty (60) days after receipt of the request for review, but this period may be
extended by the Committee for up to an additional sixty (60) days in special
circumstances. Written notice of any such special circumstances shall be sent to
the Claimant. Any claim not decided upon in the required time period shall be
deemed denied. All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the
Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion based
on the Plan and other relevant documents and shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons.

        The Committee may at any time alter the claims procedure set forth
above, provided that the revised claims procedure complies with ERISA and the
regulations issued thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                           NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS

        A Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall not be subject to
alienation, transfer, assignment, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind,
and any attempt to cause any benefits to be so subjected shall not be
recognized.

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                                  ARTICLE XIII

                          CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

        XIII.1 BENEFITS.

               (a) LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION. Upon a Change in Control of the
Company, each Participant hereunder shall receive his or her entire Deferred
Stock Account, from the Plan in a lump sum payment payable solely in shares of
Common Stock, as soon as administratively practicable following such Change in
Control, but in no event later than five (5) days after the date of such Change
in Control. Any remaining fractional shares of Common Stock shall be treated in
the manner described in Section 4.2(c) hereof.

               (b) MATCHING CONTRIBUTION ACCELERATION. Upon a Change in Control
of the Company, the Employer shall contribute on such date the Matching
Contribution that otherwise would be contributed to a Participant's Deferred
Stock Account pursuant to Article VI hereof if the Participant's outstanding
election pursuant to Section 5.3 in effect at the time of the Change in Control
would have resulted in a Matching Contribution being made pursuant to Article VI
at any time before the end of the Deferral Period (assuming that the Participant
would have remained continuously employed through the Deferral Period).

               (c) ELECTION REVOCABLE. Upon a Change in Control of the Company,
a Participant's election to defer Stock Option Gains pursuant to Section 5.2(a)
hereof may be revoked by the Participant upon written notice to the Company of a
Participant's intent to exercise the Eligible Stock Option without any deferral
of Stock Option Gains or may be revoked by the Company contingent upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control.

        XIII.2 CHANGE IN CONTROL. A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to
have occurred:

               (a) upon any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
        14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other
        fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the
        Company, any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders
        of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
        of Common Stock of the Company, as a group or individually by Steven S.
        Elbaum or The Alpine Group, Inc.), becoming the owner (as defined in
        Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
        securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more
        of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
        securities (including, without limitation, securities owned at the time
        of any increase in ownership);

               (b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
        at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new
        director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered
        into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in
        paragraph (a), (c), or (d) of this section) or a director whose initial
        assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or
        threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
        Regulation 14A promulgated under the

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

        Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
        consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board whose election
        by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders
        was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then
        still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the
        two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was
        previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a
        majority of the Board.

               (c) upon the merger or consolidation of the Company with any
        other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would
        result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
        prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding
        or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity)
        more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting
        securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
        immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that
        a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of
        the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (other than
        those covered by the exceptions in (a) above) acquires more than
        twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of the Company's
        then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of
        the Company; or

               (d) upon the stockholder's of the Company approval of a plan of
        complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
        disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
        assets other than the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
        the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or
        indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting
        power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of
        the sale.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                      TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

        Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any
time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the
provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or
otherwise; provided, however, that no amendment or termination shall reduce or
terminate the then benefit of any Participant or Beneficiary or the right to
receive an accelerated Matching Contribution under Section 13.1(b) hereof. Upon
an amendment or suspension, the Company shall not be required to distribute a
Participant's Deferred Stock Account prior to the end of the Deferral Period,
but, in the event of a suspension of the Plan, may do so in a lump sum payment,
at the discretion of the Board or the Committee, payable solely in shares of
Common Stock. In the event of a termination of the Plan, a Participant's
Deferred Stock Account shall be distributed in a lump sum payment payable solely
in shares of Common Stock as soon as administratively practicable following such
termination.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XV

                                  UNFUNDED PLAN

        The Plan shall not be construed to require the Employer to fund any of
the benefits payable under the Plan or to set aside or earmark any monies or
other assets specifically for payments under the Plan. The Plan is intended to
constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive compensation and any amounts payable
hereunder shall be paid by the Employer out of its general assets. Participants
and their designated Beneficiaries shall not have any interest in any specific
asset of the Employer as a result of the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan and
no action taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall create or be
construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship amongst any
Employer, the Committee, and the Participants, their designated Beneficiaries or
any other person. Any funds which may be invested under the provisions of the
Plan shall continue for all purposes to be part of the general funds of the
applicable Employer and no person other than the applicable Employer shall by
virtue of the provisions of the Plan have any interest in such funds. With
respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested
interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the applicable Employer,
nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are
greater than those of an unsecured general creditor of the applicable Employer.
The Employer shall establish a "rabbi trust" to hold the shares of Common Stock
hereunder and to pay the shares of Common Stock payable hereunder. If the
Employer decides to establish any advance accrued reserve on its books against
the future expense of benefits payable hereunder, or if the Employer is required
to fund a trust under the Plan, such reserve or trust shall not under any
circumstances be deemed to be an asset of the Plan.

                                   ARTICLE XVI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

        XVI.1 WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The Employer shall have the right to make
such provisions as it deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any obligations
it may have to withhold Federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred
by reason of payments pursuant to the Plan. In lieu thereof, the Employer shall
have the right to withhold the amount of such taxes from any other sums due or
to become due from the Employer to the Participant upon such terms and
conditions as the Committee may prescribe.

        XVI.2 OTHER PLANS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board
from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to
stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be
either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

        XVI.3 OTHER BENEFITS. No payment under the Plan shall be deemed
compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the
Employer nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or
subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is
related to the level of compensation.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

        XVI.4 NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. Neither the Plan nor the deferral of any
amount hereunder shall impose any obligations on the Employer to retain any
Participant as an Employee nor shall it impose on the part of any Participant
any obligation to remain as an Employee of the Employer.

        XVI.5 COSTS. The Company shall bear all expenses included in
administering the Plan.

        XVI.6 MINORS AND INCOMPETENTS. In the event that the Committee finds
that a Participant is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness
or accident, then benefits payable hereunder, unless claim has been made
therefor by a duly appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative,
may be paid in such manner as the Committee shall determine, and the application
thereof shall be a complete discharge of all liability for any payments or
benefits to which such Participant was or would have been otherwise entitled
under the Plan. Any payments to a minor from the Plan may be paid by the
Committee in its sole and absolute discretion (i) directly to such minor; (ii)
to the legal or natural guardian of such minor; or (iii) to any other person,
whether or not appointed guardian of the minor, who shall have the care and
custody of such minor. The receipt by such individual shall be a complete
discharge of all liability under the Plan therefor.

        XVI.7 SECTION 16(B) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. To the extent applicable, all
elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with
any applicable condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt
written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the
administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business
thereunder.

        XVI.8 TOP-HAT STATUS. The Plan is intended to constitute a "top-hat"
pension plan under Sections 201(2) and 301(a)(3) of ERISA. To the extent
necessary to comply with the top-hat requirements, the Committee may terminate
an Eligible Employee as a Participant and may, in its sole discretion,
distribute his or her Deferred Stock Account.

        XVI.9 SECTION 162(M) OF THE CODE. The portion of the Plan attributable
to the Stock Option Gains and Deferred Stock Option Gains is intended to comply
with Section 162(m) of the Code and shall be interpreted as part of the
applicable stock option plan of the Company.

        XVI.10    REPRESENTATION AND LEGEND. The Committee may require each
person receiving shares of Common Stock hereunder to represent to and agree
with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares
without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by
the Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend which the
Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.

        All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan
shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the
Common Stock is then listed or any national securities association system upon
whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable Federal or state

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions.

        XVI.11 LISTING AND OTHER CONDITIONS.

               (a) As long as the Common Stock is listed on a national
        securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities
        association, the issue of any shares of Common Stock hereunder shall be
        conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system.
        The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and
        until such shares are so listed, and the right to receive any shares of
        Common Stock shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

               (b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion
        that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock hereunder is or may
        in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise
        taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any
        applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make
        such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to
        maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act of
        1933, as amended, or otherwise with respect to shares of Common Stock
        issued hereunder and the right to receive any shares of Common Stock
        shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or
        delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise
        taxes on the Company.

               (c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this
        Section 14.10, any shares of Common Stock affected by such suspension
        which remain payable shall be payable as to all shares payable before
        such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become
        payable during the period of such suspension.

        XVI.12 ASSIGNMENT. The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns and the Participants and
their heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. In the event
that the Company sells all or substantially all of the assets of its business
and the acquiror of such assets assumes the obligations hereunder, the Company
shall be released from any liability imposed herein and shall have no obligation
to provide any benefits payable hereunder.

        XVI.13 GOVERNING LAW. Except to the extent preempted by ERISA or other
Federal law, the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern
under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

        XVI.14 SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of the Plan shall be
held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced
as if such provisions had not been included.

        XVI.15 CONSTRUCTION. Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the
masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the
feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words
are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were
also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

        XVI.16    HEADINGS AND CAPTIONS. The headings and captions herein are
provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the
Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

                                      -16-<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(ss)

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.

                           DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT PLAN

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

ARTICLE  I.       PURPOSE......................................................1

ARTICLE  II.      DEFINITIONS..................................................1

ARTICLE  III.     ADMINISTRATION...............................................4

ARTICLE  IV.      SHARES; ADJUSTMENT UPON CERTAIN EVENTS.......................5

ARTICLE  V.       ELECTIONS....................................................6

ARTICLE  VI.      MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.......................................8

ARTICLE  VII.     ESTABLISHMENT OF DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT......................8

ARTICLE  VIII.    ADDITIONS TO DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT..........................9

ARTICLE  IX.      COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS.....................................9

ARTICLE  X.       FORFEITURE...................................................9

ARTICLE  XI.      CLAIMS PROCEDURE............................................10

ARTICLE  XII.     NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS..................................10

ARTICLE  XIII.    CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS................................11

ARTICLE XIV.      TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN........................13

ARTICLE XV.    UNFUNDED PLAN..................................................13

ARTICLE XVI.   GENERAL PROVISIONS.............................................14

<PAGE>

                             THE ALPINE GROUP, INC.
                           DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     PURPOSE

      The purpose of the Plan, which is established along with a "rabbi trust,"
is to provide a select group of management and highly compensated employees of
the Employer with the opportunity to: (i) defer the receipt of all or a portion
of his or her Bonus; (ii) defer delivery of Stock Option Gains; and (iii)
receive an employer Matching Contribution in shares of Common Stock in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DEFINITIONS

      For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

      II.1 "Affiliate" shall mean each of the following: (i) any Subsidiary;
(ii) any Parent; (iii) any corporation, trade or business (including, without
limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or
indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an
equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its
Affiliates; and (iv) any other entity in which the Company or any of its
Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an
"Affiliate" by resolution of the Committee.

      II.2 "Beneficiary" shall mean the individual designated by the
Participant, on a form acceptable by the Committee, to receive benefits payable
under the Plan in the event of the Participant's death. If no Beneficiary is
designated, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be his or her spouse, or if the
Participant is not married, the Participant's estate. Upon the acceptance by the
Committee of a new Beneficiary designation, all Beneficiary designations
previously filed shall be canceled. The Committee shall be entitled to rely on
the last Beneficiary designation filed by the Participant and accepted by the
Committee prior to his or her death.

      II.3 "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

      II.4 "Bonus" shall mean a Participant's performance bonus or any other
bonus (whether or not discretionary) paid by the Employer to the Participant in
shares of Common Stock, including shares of restricted Common Stock, that is
designated by the Committee as eligible for deferral under the Plan.

      II.5 "Cause" shall mean with respect to a Participant's Termination of
Employment, a Participant's fraud, embezzlement or commission of a crime with
regard to the Employer or its assets or a Participant's breach of any
noncompetition or nonsolicitation provision or breach of confidentiality, to the
extent set forth in a written agreement between the Participant and the

<PAGE>

Company. The Committee shall have sole discretion in determining whether Cause
exists, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

      II.6 "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.

      II.7 "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any
reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor
provision.

      II.8 "Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or
such other committee of the Board which consists solely of at least two
non-employee directors, each of whom is intended to be an "outside director," as
defined under Section 162(m) of the Code and a "non-employee director," as
defined under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. In the event that the Committee
does not satisfy such requirements, it shall not affect the validity of any
contributions or deferral elections hereunder.

      II.9 "Common Stock" shall mean common stock, $.10 par value per share, of
the Company.

      II.10 "Company" shall mean The Alpine Group, Inc. or any successor
corporation by merger, consolidation or transfer of assets substantially as a
whole.

      II.11 "Deemed Dividends" shall mean the amount of dividends (whether stock
or cash), if any, which are declared on a share of Common Stock multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock credited to the Deferred Stock Account.

      II.12 "Deferral Period" shall mean the earlier of: (i) the period of
deferral selected by the Participant for the period described in Section 5.1(b),
as may be extended pursuant to Section 5.1(c) or (ii) the period beginning on
the effective date of a deferral election and ending on a Participant's
Termination of Employment.

      II.13 "Deferred Bonus" shall mean the Bonus deferred by a Participant
under Section 5.1(a)(i) hereof.

      II.14 "Deferred Stock Option Gains" shall mean the Stock Option Gains
deferred under Section 5.1(a)(ii) hereof.

      II.15 "Deferred Stock Account" shall mean the individual account
established pursuant to Article VII to which a Participant's Deferred Bonus and
Deferred Stock Option Gains are credited.

      II.16 "Disability" shall mean any disability as determined under the
Employer's long term disability policies, provided that the Participant is
entitled to and is receiving long term disability benefits under such policies.

      II.17 "Effective Date" shall mean March 10, 1999.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

      II.18 "Eligible Employee" shall mean an Employee who is a member of a
select group of management or highly compensated employees and who is designated
by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as an Eligible Employee. Any Eligible
Employee shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Plan until he or
she ceases to be an Eligible Employee, whether by reason of his or her
Termination of Employment or by reason of the Committee's determination in its
sole discretion that he or she should no longer be designated as an Eligible
Employee.

      II.19 "Eligible Stock Option" shall mean one or more nonqualified stock
options (including incentive stock options disqualified as such and treated as
nonqualified stock options) selected by the Committee in its sole discretion as
eligible for deferral of Stock Option Gains hereunder.

      II.20 "Employee" shall mean any person employed by the Employer excluding
any "leased employee," as defined in Section 414(n) of the Code, any independent
contractor or agent.

      II.21 "Employer" shall mean the Company and any Affiliate.

      II.22 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

      II.23 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

      II.24 "Matching Contribution" shall mean the contribution made pursuant to
Article VI hereof.

      II.25 "Parent" shall mean any parent corporation of the Company within the
meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

      II.26 "Participant" shall mean any Eligible Employee who: (i) elects to
defer his or her Bonus or Stock Option Gains in accordance with the terms
hereunder; and (ii) has a balance in his or her Deferred Stock Account under the
Plan. A Participant shall cease to be permitted to defer his or her Bonus or
Stock Option Gains with regard to a Plan Year if he or she is not, or ceases to
be, an Eligible Employee with regard to the Plan.

      II.27 "Plan" shall mean The Alpine Group, Inc. Deferred Stock Account
Plan.

      II.28 "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year, except that the first Plan
Year shall be the short Plan Year commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
December 31, 1999.

      II.29 "Stock-for-Stock Exercise" shall mean the payment of the exercise
price of the Eligible Stock Option with Common Stock owned by the Participant
for at least six (6) months (and for which the Participant has good title free
and clear of any liens and encumbrances and has represented that he has owned
the shares of Common Stock for at least six (6) months) based on the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the exercise date. The Committee (or its delegate),
in its sole discretion, shall determine whether payment of the exercise price of
the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Eligible Stock Option with Common Stock may be accomplished through attestation
or by physical tender of the shares.

      II.30 "Stock Option Gains" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
equal in number to (i) the shares of Common Stock subject to an Eligible Stock
Option less (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to satisfy the
exercise price for the Eligible Stock Option pursuant to a Stock-for-Stock
Exercise.

      II.31 "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation that is defined as a
subsidiary corporation in Section 424(f) of the Code.

      II.32 "Termination of Employment" shall mean termination of employment as
an Employee of the Employer for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited
to death, retirement, resignation, Disability, dismissal (with or without Cause)
or the cessation of an entity as an Affiliate.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                 ADMINISTRATION

      III.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

      III.2 Duties of the Committee. The Committee (or its delegate) shall have
the exclusive right, power and authority to administer, apply and interpret the
Plan and any other Plan documents and to decide any questions and settle all
controversies and disputes that may arise in connection with the operation or
administration of the Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Committee shall have the sole and absolute discretionary authority: (i) to
take all actions and make all decisions with respect to the eligibility for, and
the amount of, benefits payable under the Plan; (ii) to formulate, interpret and
apply rules, regulations and policies necessary to administer the Plan in
accordance with its terms; (iii) to decide questions, including legal or factual
questions, relating to the calculation and payment of benefits under the Plan;
(iv) to resolve and/or clarify any ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions
arising under the Plan or other Plan documents; and (v) to process and approve
or deny benefit claims and rule on any benefit exclusions. All determinations
made by the Committee (or any delegate) with respect to any matter arising under
the Plan and any other Plan documents including, without limitation, the
interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all parties.

      III.3 Advisors. The Company, the Board or the Committee may employ such
legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the
administration of the Plan, and the Committee may rely upon any advice or
opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation
received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred for the engagement
of such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee
may also rely on information, and consider recommendations, provided by the
Board or the executive officers of the Company.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

      III.4 Action by Majority. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a
majority of its members attending a meeting at which a quorum is present (which
meeting may be held telephonically), or by written action in accordance with
applicable law.

      III.5 Liability of Committee Members. No member of the Committee and no
officer, director or employee of the Employer shall be liable for any action or
inaction with respect to his or her functions under the Plan unless such action
or inaction is adjudged to be due to fraud. Further, no such person shall be
personally liable merely by virtue of any instrument executed by him or her or
on his or her behalf in connection with the Plan.

      III.6 Indemnification of Committee Members. Each Employer shall indemnify,
to the full extent permitted by law and its Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws (but only to the extent not covered by insurance) its officers and
directors (and any employee involved in carrying out the functions of the
Employer under the Plan) and each member of the Committee against any expenses,
including amounts paid in settlement of a liability, which are reasonably
incurred in connection with any legal action to which such person is a party by
reason of his or her duties or responsibilities with respect to the Plan (other
than as a Participant).

      III.7 Securities Law Compliance. The Committee shall impose such rules
designed to facilitate compliance with Federal and state securities laws,
including to the extent applicable, the limitations of Section 4(2) and Rule 701
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and shall have the authority to
suspend the Plan and take any action necessary, including revoking a
Participant's deferral elections, prospectively and/or retroactively, to ensure
that the Plan complies with Federal and state securities laws.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     SHARES; ADJUSTMENT UPON CERTAIN EVENTS

      IV.1 Shares to be Delivered. Shares to be delivered under the Plan shall
be: (i) with respect to shares of Common Stock contributed as a Matching
Contribution, shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company and held in
treasury; (ii) with respect to shares of Common Stock deferred as Deferred Stock
Option Gains upon the exercise of an Eligible Stock Option, shares of Common
Stock held under the applicable stock option plan of the Company, including,
without limitation, the Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan; or (iii) with respect
to shares of Common Stock deferred as Deferred Bonus, either (x) shares of
Common Stock held under the applicable restricted stock plan of the Company,
including, without limitation, the Company's 1984 Restricted Stock Plan or (y)
shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company and held in treasury.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

      IV.2 Adjustments Upon Certain Events.

            (a) Adjustments. The existence of the Plan and any Deferred Stock
      Account shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the
      stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment,
      recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital
      structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any
      issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of
      or affecting Common Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company
      or any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the
      Company, or any other corporate act or proceeding.

            (b) Capital Structure. In the event of (i) any such change in the
      capital structure or business of the Company by reason of any stock
      dividend or distribution, stock split or reverse stock split,
      recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up,
      combination or exchange of shares, distribution with respect to its
      outstanding Common Stock or capital stock other than Common Stock, sale or
      transfer of all or part of its assets or business, reclassification of its
      capital stock, or any similar change affecting the Company's capital
      structure or business and (ii) the Committee determines an adjustment is
      appropriate under the Plan, then the aggregate number and kind of shares
      of Common Stock held in the Deferred Stock Account shall be appropriately
      adjusted consistent with such change in such manner as the Committee may
      deem necessary to reflect the change, and any such adjustment determined
      by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on the Company and all
      Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
      successors and assigns.

            (c) Fractional Shares. Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting
      from any adjustment in shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.2(a)
      or (b) or any other provision hereunder shall be aggregated until, and
      eliminated at, the time of exercise by rounding-down for fractions less
      than one-half (1/2) and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than
      one-half (1/2). No cash settlements shall be made with respect to
      fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall
      be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Deferred Stock Account
      has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is
      given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    ELECTIONS

      V.1 Elections.

            (a) Amount of Deferral. An Eligible Employee may elect in writing on
a form prescribed by the Employer to defer the receipt of all or a portion (in
whole percentages) of his or her: (i) Bonus, subject to a minimum deferral of at
least fifteen percent (15%) of his or her Bonus; and (ii) Stock Option Gains.
With respect to any discretionary Bonus, the Committee in its sole discretion
may automatically defer all or a portion of any discretionary Bonus of an

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Eligible Employee without such Eligible Employee electing to defer such Bonus or
consenting to such deferral (except that an Eligible Employee may be required to
select the required length of the Deferral Period under Section 5.1(b) hereof).

            (b) Length of Deferral. An Eligible Employee making an election
pursuant to Section 5.1(a) hereof or, if so determined by the Committee, an
Eligible Employee receiving an automatic deferred Bonus, shall also elect a
Deferral Period of either two (2), three (3), five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15)
years, which Deferral Period shall begin on the day on which a Deferred Bonus
and/or Deferred Stock Option Gains would otherwise have been paid. If an
Eligible Employee makes an election under Section 5.1(a) but makes no election
under Section 5.1(b), then the Deferral Period shall be two (2) years.

            (c) Extension of Deferral Period. Notwithstanding any election made
pursuant to Section 5.1(b) above, a Participant may elect to extend any Deferral
Period on a form prescribed by the Committee for either two (2), three (3), five
(5), ten (10) or fifteen (15) additional years, provided that any such election
is made at least one (1) year prior to the expiration of the applicable Deferral
Period. Each election to extend a Deferral Period shall be irrevocable.

      V.2 Timing and Manner of Bonus Deferral Election.

            (a) Method of Election. Any election to defer payment of a
Participant's Bonus shall be made by the Participant in writing to the Committee
on a form prescribed by the Employer on or before the first day of the second
quarter of the Company's fiscal year to which the Bonus relates. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, an election to defer payment of a Bonus which is in the form of
shares of restricted Common Stock shall be made by the Participant in writing to
the Committee on a form prescribed by the Employer at least six (6) months prior
to the date on which the restrictions on such shares of restricted Common Stock
lapse.

            (b) Irrevocable Election. An election with respect to a
Participant's Bonus under this Article V is irrevocable. An election with
respect to a Participant's Bonus (other than a Bonus which is in the form of
shares of restricted Common Stock) is valid only for the fiscal year of the
Company with respect to which the election is made. If a new election is not
made with respect to any subsequent fiscal year of the Company under Section
5.1(a), a Participant's Bonus (other than a Bonus which is in the form of shares
of restricted Common Stock) earned in such fiscal year shall not be deferred
under the Plan. An election with respect to a Bonus which is in the form of
shares of restricted Common Stock is valid only for shares of restricted Common
Stock for which the restrictions lapse at any time after six (6) months
following the election.

            (c) Mid-Year Participation. An individual who becomes an Eligible
Employee after the date by which an election would otherwise be required to be
made hereunder may elect to become a Participant (solely with respect to Bonus
earned after an election pursuant to Section 5.1(a) is executed and delivered to
the Employer pursuant to the procedures established by the Committee) within
thirty (30) days after the individual becomes an Eligible Employee, by making an
election, in writing, on a form prescribed by the Committee.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

      V.3 Timing and Manner of Stock Option Gains Deferral Election. Any
election to defer payment of a Participant's Stock Option Gains shall be made by
the Participant in writing to the Committee on a form prescribed by the Employer
at least six (6) months prior to the date the Participant exercises the Eligible
Stock Option. The deferral election for such Eligible Stock Option shall be
irrevocable and shall apply to the Participant's exercise of the Eligible Stock
Option at any time after six (6) months following the election until the
expiration date of the Eligible Stock Option.

      V.4 Change in Status. An election made pursuant to Section 5.1 by a
Participant who ceases to be an Eligible Employee but who does not incur a
Termination of Employment shall remain in effect and such Participant shall not
be entitled to receive a distribution from the Plan solely as a result of such
change in status.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS

            The Employer shall contribute a Matching Contribution in shares of
Common Stock to a Participant's Deferred Stock Account equal to: (i) 25% of the
Deferred Stock Account deferred for at least three (3) years and (ii) 25% of the
Deferred Stock Account deferred for at least five (5) years. Any Matching
Contribution shall be credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account as
soon as practicable following satisfaction of the three (3) year period (with
respect to Deferral Periods of at least three (3) years or at least three (3)
years but less than five (5) years) or the three (3) year and the five (5) year
periods, as applicable (with respect to Deferral Periods of at least five (5)
years). For purposes of this Article VI, with respect to Deferred Bonus which is
in the form of shares of restricted Common Stock, such shares shall be treated
as if the Deferral Period commenced on the date such shares of restricted Common
Stock were awarded to the Participant notwithstanding that such shares are held
in the custody of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                     ESTABLISHMENT OF DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT

      VII.1 Crediting of Deferrals. Deferred Bonus and Deferred Stock Option
Gains shall be credited to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account not later
than the date such amount would otherwise be payable to the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Deferred Bonus which is in the
form of shares of restricted Common Stock, the Company shall retain custody of
the shares of restricted Common Stock during the applicable restriction period
and shall credit such shares to the Participant's Deferred Stock Account not
later than the date immediately prior to the date the applicable restriction
period expires.

      VII.2 Vesting. A Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be fully
vested at all times, except that with regard to shares of restricted Common
Stock, such shares and any Matching Contributions with regard thereto, shall not
be vested until the date the applicable restriction period expires.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

      VII.3 Ownership. Prior to the end of the Deferral Period, the Participant
shall not have any rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares
of Common Stock held in a Participant's Deferred Stock Account, except the right
to have Deemed Dividends, if any, credited to his or her Deferred Stock Account
and adjustment made to the shares of Common Stock under the Deferred Stock
Account under Article IV.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                       ADDITIONS TO DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT

      VIII.1 Plan Investments. Amounts deferred under the Plan shall be held
solely in the form of Common Stock.

      VIII.2 Dividends. At such time or times as any dividends on Common Stock
shall be distributed to the Company's stockholders, the Company shall credit to
the Deferred Stock Account the Deemed Dividends. Deemed Dividends so credited to
the Deferred Stock Account which are cash dividends shall be reinvested in
shares of Common Stock (based on the fair market value of such shares on the
date the dividend is paid).

                                   ARTICLE IX

                            COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS

      Except as otherwise provided in this Article IX and Article XIII, a
Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall be paid to the Participant (or, in
the case of the Participant's death, his or her Beneficiary) in a lump sum
payment payable solely in shares of Common Stock as soon as administratively
practicable after the earlier of the following to occur: (i) a Participant's
Termination of Employment; or (ii) the end of the applicable Deferral Period. A
Participant shall not be entitled to, and the Employer shall not be obligated to
pay to such Participant, the whole or any part of the amounts deferred under the
Plan, except as provided in the Plan.

      Any remaining fractional shares of Common Stock shall be treated in the
manner described in Section 4.2(c) hereof.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                   FORFEITURE

      Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary hereunder, in the event that
a Participant is terminated by the Employer for Cause, the Participant's
Deferred Stock Account excluding any Matching Contributions shall be paid to the
Participant in a lump sum payment consisting solely of shares of Common Stock as
soon as administratively practicable after such termination.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                CLAIMS PROCEDURE

      Any claim by a Participant or Beneficiary ("Claimant") with respect to
eligibility, participation, contributions, benefits or other aspects of the
operation of the Plan shall be made in writing to the Committee or such other
person designated by the Committee from time to time for such purpose. If the
Committee believes that the claim should be denied, the Committee shall notify
the Claimant in writing of the denial of the claim within ninety (90) days after
receipt thereof (this period may be extended an additional ninety (90) days in
special circumstances and, in such event, the Claimant shall be notified in
writing of the extension). Such notice shall (i) set forth the specific reason
or reasons for the denial making reference to the pertinent provisions of the
Plan or of Plan documents on which the denial is based; (ii) describe any
additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim, and explain
why such material or information, if any, is necessary; and (iii) inform the
Claimant of his or her right pursuant to this section to request review of the
decision.

      A Claimant may appeal the denial of a claim by submitting a written
request for review to the Committee, within sixty (60) days after the date on
which such denial is received. Such period may be extended by the Committee for
good cause shown. The claim will then be reviewed by the Committee. A Claimant
or his or her duly authorized representative may discuss any issues relevant to
the claim, may review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in
writing. If the Committee deems it appropriate, it may hold a hearing as to a
claim. If a hearing is held, the Claimant shall be entitled to be represented by
counsel. The Committee shall decide whether or not to grant the claim within
sixty (60) days after receipt of the request for review, but this period may be
extended by the Committee for up to an additional sixty (60) days in special
circumstances. Written notice of any such special circumstances shall be sent to
the Claimant. Any claim not decided upon in the required time period shall be
deemed denied. All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the
Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion based
on the Plan and other relevant documents and shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all persons.

      The Committee may at any time alter the claims procedure set forth above,
provided that the revised claims procedure complies with ERISA and the
regulations issued thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                           NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS

      A Participant's Deferred Stock Account shall not be subject to alienation,
transfer, assignment, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind, and any
attempt to cause any benefits to be so subjected shall not be recognized.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                          CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

      XIII.1 Benefits.

            (a) Lump Sum Distribution. Upon a Change in Control of the Company,
each Participant hereunder shall receive his or her entire Deferred Stock
Account, from the Plan in a lump sum payment payable solely in shares of Common
Stock, as soon as administratively practicable following such Change in Control,
but in no event later than five (5) days after the date of such Change in
Control. Any remaining fractional shares of Common Stock shall be treated in the
manner described in Section 4.2(c) hereof.

            (b) Matching Contribution Acceleration. Upon a Change in Control of
the Company, the Employer shall contribute on such date the Matching
Contribution that otherwise would be contributed to a Participant's Deferred
Stock Account pursuant to Article VI hereof if the Participant's outstanding
election pursuant to Section 5.3 in effect at the time of the Change in Control
would have resulted in a Matching Contribution being made pursuant to Article VI
at any time before the end of the Deferral Period (assuming that the Participant
would have remained continuously employed through the Deferral Period).

            (c) Election Revocable. Upon a Change in Control of the Company, a
Participant's election to defer Stock Option Gains pursuant to Section 5.2(a)
hereof may be revoked by the Participant upon written notice to the Company of a
Participant's intent to exercise the Eligible Stock Option without any deferral
of Stock Option Gains or may be revoked by the Company contingent upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control.

      XIII.2 Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred:

            (a) upon the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
      the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a
      "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
      promulgated under the Exchange Act) of voting securities of the Company
      where such acquisition causes such Person to own more than 20% or more of
      the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
      Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the
      "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for
      purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not be
      deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from
      the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company; (iii) any acquisition by
      any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
      the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or (iv) any
      acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies
      with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) below; and provided,
      further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership of the Outstanding
      Company Voting Securities reaches or exceeds more than 20% as a result of
      a transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above, and such Person
      subsequently acquires beneficial ownership of additional voting securities
      of the Company, such

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

      subsequent acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition that causes such
      Person to own more than 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting
      Securities; or

            (b) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board
      (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a
      majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
      director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination
      for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at
      least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
      shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
      Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
      whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
      threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
      directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
      consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

            (c) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
      sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
      Company or the acquisition of the assets of another corporation ("Business
      Combination"); excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to
      which (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
      were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities
      immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly
      or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares
      of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
      voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
      as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
      Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result
      of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
      Company's assets either directly or indirectly through one or more
      subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
      immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company
      Voting Securities; (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or
      related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
      Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than
      20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock
      of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the
      combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
      corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
      Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the
      board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
      Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
      execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
      providing for such Business Combination; or

            (d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
      liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                      TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any
time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the
provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or
otherwise; provided, however, that no amendment or termination shall reduce or
terminate the then benefit of any Participant or Beneficiary or the right to
receive an accelerated Matching Contribution under Section 13.1(b) hereof. Upon
an amendment or suspension, the Company shall not be required to distribute a
Participant's Deferred Stock Account prior to the end of the Deferral Period,
but, in the event of a suspension of the Plan, may do so in a lump sum payment,
at the discretion of the Board or the Committee, payable solely in shares of
Common Stock. In the event of a termination of the Plan, a Participant's
Deferred Stock Account shall be distributed in a lump sum payment payable solely
in shares of Common Stock as soon as administratively practicable following such
termination.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                                  UNFUNDED PLAN

      The Plan shall not be construed to require the Employer to fund any of the
benefits payable under the Plan or to set aside or earmark any monies or other
assets specifically for payments under the Plan. The Plan is intended to
constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive compensation and any amounts payable
hereunder shall be paid by the Employer out of its general assets. Participants
and their designated Beneficiaries shall not have any interest in any specific
asset of the Employer as a result of the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan and
no action taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall create or be
construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship amongst any
Employer, the Committee, and the Participants, their designated Beneficiaries or
any other person. Any funds which may be invested under the provisions of the
Plan shall continue for all purposes to be part of the general funds of the
applicable Employer and no person other than the applicable Employer shall by
virtue of the provisions of the Plan have any interest in such funds. With
respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested
interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the applicable Employer,
nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are
greater than those of an unsecured general creditor of the applicable Employer.
The Employer shall establish a "rabbi trust" to hold the shares of Common Stock
hereunder and to pay the shares of Common Stock payable hereunder. If the
Employer decides to establish any advance accrued reserve on its books against
the future expense of benefits payable hereunder, or if the Employer is required
to fund a trust under the Plan, such reserve or trust shall not under any
circumstances be deemed to be an asset of the Plan.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XVI

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      XVI.1 Withholding of Taxes. The Employer shall have the right to make such
provisions as it deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any obligations it
may have to withhold Federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by
reason of payments pursuant to the Plan. In lieu thereof, the Employer shall
have the right to withhold the amount of such taxes from any other sums due or
to become due from the Employer to the Participant upon such terms and
conditions as the Committee may prescribe.

      XVI.2 Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board
from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to
stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be
either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

      XVI.3 Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan shall be deemed
compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the
Employer nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or
subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is
related to the level of compensation.

      XVI.4 No Right to Employment. Neither the Plan nor the deferral of any
amount hereunder shall impose any obligations on the Employer to retain any
Participant as an Employee nor shall it impose on the part of any Participant
any obligation to remain as an Employee of the Employer.

      XVI.5 Costs. The Company shall bear all expenses included in administering
the Plan.

      XVI.6 Minors and Incompetents. In the event that the Committee finds that
a Participant is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or
accident, then benefits payable hereunder, unless claim has been made therefor
by a duly appointed guardian, committee, or other legal representative, may be
paid in such manner as the Committee shall determine, and the application
thereof shall be a complete discharge of all liability for any payments or
benefits to which such Participant was or would have been otherwise entitled
under the Plan. Any payments to a minor from the Plan may be paid by the
Committee in its sole and absolute discretion (i) directly to such minor; (ii)
to the legal or natural guardian of such minor; or (iii) to any other person,
whether or not appointed guardian of the minor, who shall have the care and
custody of such minor. The receipt by such individual shall be a complete
discharge of all liability under the Plan therefor.

      XVI.7 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. To the extent applicable, all
elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with
any applicable condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt
written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the
administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business
thereunder.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

      XVI.8 Top-Hat Status. The Plan is intended to constitute a "top-hat"
pension plan under Sections 201(2) and 301(a)(3) of ERISA. To the extent
necessary to comply with the top-hat requirements, the Committee may terminate
an Eligible Employee as a Participant and may, in its sole discretion,
distribute his or her Deferred Stock Account.

      XVI.9 Section 162(m) of the Code. The portion of the Plan attributable to
the Stock Option Gains and Deferred Stock Option Gains is intended to comply
with Section 162(m) of the Code and shall be interpreted as part of the
applicable stock option plan of the Company.

      XVI.10 Representation and Legend. The Committee may require each person
receiving shares of Common Stock hereunder to represent to and agree with the
Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view
to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the
certificates for such shares may include any legend which the Committee deems
appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.

      All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall
be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee
may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common
Stock is then listed or any national securities association system upon whose
system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable Federal or state
securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate
reference to such restrictions.

      XVI.11 Listing and Other Conditions.

            (a) As long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities
      exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the
      issue of any shares of Common Stock hereunder shall be conditioned upon
      such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall
      have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are
      so listed, and the right to receive any shares of Common Stock shall be
      suspended until such listing has been effected.

            (b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion
      that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock hereunder is or may in
      the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes
      on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable
      jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or
      delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any
      qualification or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
      amended, or otherwise with respect to shares of Common Stock issued
      hereunder and the right to receive any shares of Common Stock shall be
      suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery
      shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on
      the Company.

            (c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section
      14.10, any shares of Common Stock affected by such suspension which remain
      payable shall be payable as to all shares payable before such suspension
      and as to shares which would otherwise have become payable during the
      period of such suspension.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

      XVI.12 Assignment. The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the Company, its successors and assigns and the Participants and their heirs,
executors, administrators and legal representatives. In the event that the
Company sells all or substantially all of the assets of its business and the
acquiror of such assets assumes the obligations hereunder, the Company shall be
released from any liability imposed herein and shall have no obligation to
provide any benefits payable hereunder.

      XVI.13 Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by ERISA or other
Federal law, the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern
under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

      XVI.14 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan shall be
held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced
as if such provisions had not been included.

      XVI.15 Construction. Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the
masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the
feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words
are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were
also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

      XVI.16 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are
provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the
Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

                                      -16-

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