-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DEk8udQyYx8KX9Yv7esZxiJc0ketPMFIjXIAPeZfw2J+PtVlMpO5j2oIcrKhZrjV
 EJBnS+0mf5jcPOcg/cEEsw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-08-001536.txt : 20080117
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-001536.hdr.sgml : 20080117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080117161558
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-001536
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		5
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080115
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080117

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERLING CONSTRUCTION CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874238
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HEAVY CONSTRUCTION OTHER THAN BUILDING CONST - CONTRACTORS [1600]
		IRS NUMBER:				251655321
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31993
		FILM NUMBER:		08536249

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2751 CENTERVILLE RD.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3131
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19803
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3024789170

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20810 FERNBUSH LANE
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77073

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	OAKHURST CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950831

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	OAKHURST CAPITAL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931130
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form8ka.htm
<DESCRIPTION>STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 8KA 1-15-2008
<TEXT>
<html>

  <head>
    <title>form8ka.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: EDGARfilings-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.3.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved -->
</head>
    <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">UNITED
      STATES</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Washington,
      D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FORM
      8-K/A</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT
      REPORT</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
      to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date
                of Report (Date of earliest event reported):</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">January
                15, 2008</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="75%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -10.8pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">STERLING
                CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact
      name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -5.4pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Delaware</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="34%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -10.8pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">1-31993</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -10.8pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">25-1655321</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.15pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(State
                or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="34%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Commission
                File Number)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.9pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(I.R.S.
                Employer Identification No.)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.35pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">20810
                Fernbush Lane</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.35pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Houston,
                Texas</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.7pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">77073</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.35pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Address
                of principal executive offices)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.8pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Zip
                Code)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="79%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.7pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Registrant&#8217;s
                telephone number, including area code:&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">(281)
                821-9091</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check
      the
      appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
      satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
      provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">&#168;</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Written
                  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
                  CFR
                  230.425) </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">&#168;</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Soliciting
                  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
                  240.14a-12) </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">&#168;</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
                  communications pursuant to Rule 142-2(b) under the Exchange Act
                  (17&#160;CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">&#168;</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
                  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
                  (17&#160;CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -13px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4"><br>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            1 of
            5</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Explanatory
        Note</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">This
        amendment to Form 8-K is being filed to correct the date in the first line
        of
        the first and third paragraphs of the description of the employment agreement
        and compensation of James H. Allen, Jr.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item
        1.01.</font>&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Entry into a Material
        Definitive
        Agreement</font></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On
      January 15, 2008, Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Company</font>") entered into
      employment agreements with each of Patrick T. Manning, Chairman and Chief
      Executive Officer; Joseph P. Harper,&#160;Sr., President &amp; Chief Operating
      Officer; and James H. Allen, Jr., Senior Vice President &amp; Chief Financial
      Officer.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Patrick
      T. Manning &amp; Joseph P.
      Harper, Sr</font>.&#160;&#160;The employment agreements of Messrs. Manning and
      Harper are essentially identical.&#160;&#160;They are effective as of July 19,
      2007, the day following the expiration of their prior employment agreements,
      and
      they expire on December 31, 2010.&#160;&#160;The agreements provide each of them
      with the following cash compensation:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
                base salary of $365,000, payable in bi-weekly installments at the
                same
                time as other managers of the Company are paid.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
                base deferred salary of $162,500, which is payable in a lump sum,
                but only
                if at the end of a given year the Company has achieved at least 75%
                of the
                EBITDA (which is defined below) budgeted for that year; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">An
                incentive bonus of up to $162,500. Sixty percent is payable only
                if at the
                end of a given year the Company has achieved or exceeded the budgeted
                earnings per share for that year, and up to forty percent is payable,
                based upon the extent, if at all, that the employee by year end has
                achieved his personal goals and objectives for that year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      annual budget containing EBITDA and earnings per share goals for the year must
      have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and both the
      setting of the personal goals and objectives and the extent of their achievement
      by year end are subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the
      Board of Directors.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Since
      Messrs. Manning and Harper were compensated for approximately half of calendar
      year 2007 under their prior employment agreements, the new employment agreements
      provide that if 75% of EBITDA budgeted for 2007 is achieved, the employee will
      receive approximately 54% of the EBITDA-related bonus payable to him under
      his
      former employment agreement and approximately 46% of the base deferred salary
      payable to him under the new employment agreement.&#160;&#160;In addition,
      because the terms of the agreements were not finalized prior to the end of
      2007,
      the portion of the incentive bonus for 2007 that would otherwise be based on
      the
      achievement of personal goals and objective, will be awarded, if at all, in
      the
      sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
      the
      Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
      purposes of these employment agreements, EBITDA means the net income of the
      Company on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted
      accounting principles for a given calendar year &#8212;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Plus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Interest
                  expense for the
                  period;</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Plus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Depreciation
                  and amortization
                  expense for the period;</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Plus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Federal
                  and state income tax
                  expense incurred for the
                  period;</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Plus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Extraordinary
                  Items (to the
                  extent negative) if any, for the
                  period;</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Minus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Extraordinary
                  Items (to the
                  extent positive) if any;</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Minus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Interest
                  income for the period;
                  and</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Minus</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Any
                  fees paid to non-employee
                  directors.</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      calculating EBITDA for a given year, appropriate and equitable adjustment will
      be made for any material changes in the Company&#8217;s business that occurred during
      the year, such as the acquisition of a business or the sale of a part of the
      business.&#160;&#160;In calculating earnings per share, the issuance during the
      year of any shares of common stock for which a reserve had not been established
      when the budget was approved will be ignored.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      employment agreements of Messrs. Manning and Harper also contain the following
      terms and conditions:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          2 of
          5</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 17.25pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                is entitled to participate in the Company's health and other insurance
                plans to the same extent and on the same basis as other employees
                of the
                Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 17.25pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                is entitled to so many days of vacation as he believes is appropriate
                in
                light of the needs of the business. This provision is retroactive
                to the
                beginning of 2007 and supersedes the vacation provisions of their
                prior
                employment agreements. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 17.25pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company is obligated to elect annually each employee to his current
                positions. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 17.25pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                either employee is terminated without cause, becomes permanently
                disabled,
                or if he resigns because the Company commits a material breach of
                a
                material term of his employment agreement and fails to cure the breach
                within 30 days, the Company is obligated to &#8212;
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">o</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">pay
                him his then current base salary for the balance of the term of the
                agreement or for twelve full calendar months, which ever period is
                longer;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">o</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">to
                pay him a portion of the base deferred salary and incentive bonus
                that he
                would have earned had he remained an employee of the Company through
                the
                end of the calendar year in which his employment terminated, based
                on the
                number of days during the year that he was an employee; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 54pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">o</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">provide
                him with the same medical and dental coverage he had prior to the
                termination of his employment, provided that he pays the Company
                the
                annual premium for those benefits that would be payable under COBRA
                (less
                the COBRA administrative surcharge,) and the Company is obligated
                to
                reimburse him for those payments. To the extent that any medical
                or dental
                expense or in-kind benefits are taxable to the employee in a given
                year,
                the Company is obligated to reimburse them.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                either of Mr. Manning or Mr. Harper dies during the term of his agreement,
                the Company is obligated to pay him his salary then in effect through
                the
                date of his death and a portion of any base deferred salary and any
                incentive bonus that he would have earned had he remained an employee
                through the end of the calendar year in which his death occurred,
                based on
                the number of days during the year that he was an employee.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company may terminate either employee's employment for cause. Cause
                is
                defined generally as neglect of duties, gross negligence, an act
                of
                dishonesty, conviction of a crime; participation in an activity involving
                moral turpitude that is or could reasonably be expected to be injurious
                to
                the business or reputation of the Company, and immoderate use of
                alcohol
                and/or the use of non-prescribed narcotics that adversely and materially
                affects the performance of his duties.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                employee has the right to resign his employment on 90 days prior
                written
                notice to the Company, in which case, if the Company achieves 75%
                of
                budgeted EBITDA for the year in which the resignation occurs, the
                Company
                is obligated to pay the employee a portion of his base deferred salary,
                based on the number of days during the year that he was an employee
                of the
                Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                employee is prohibited from competing with the Company's business
                in Texas
                or in any other state in which the Company derives at least 10% of
                its
                revenues. This non-compete obligation remains in effect following
                the
                termination of his employment for twelve months or for the period,
                if any,
                during which the Company is obligated to continue to pay him his
                salary,
                whichever period is longer. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company is obligated to indemnify each employee in his capacity as
                a
                director, officer and/or employee of the Company and of any affiliate
                of
                the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's charter,
                its
                by-laws and the laws of the State of Delaware and to provide coverage
                at
                the Company's expense under a standard form of directors and officers
                liability insurance policy. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          3 of
          5</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Symbol, serif">&#183;</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                employee is entitled upon the termination of his employment to purchase
                any insurance maintained by the Company for its own benefit on his
                life at
                its then cash surrender value. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">James
      H. Allen,
      Jr</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr. Allen's agreement confirms the compensation package
      approved by the Compensation Committee on August 7, 2007, which the Company
      reported on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
      August 10, 2007.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Allen's agreement is effective as of July 16, 2007, the date he was hired by
      the
      Company, and expires on December 31, 2010.&#160;&#160;The agreement provides him
      with a base annualized salary of $250,000, a base deferred salary of $75,000
      and
      an incentive bonus of up to $75,000, all on the same terms and conditions as
      described above for Messrs. Manning and Harper, except that as a new employee,
      Mr. Allen's compensation is not pro rated based on a prior
      agreement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      employment agreement references the five-year stock option that the Compensation
      Committee at a meeting held on August 7, 2007 granted to Mr. Allen to purchase
      13,707 shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $18.99 per share,
      the
      closing price on that date on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Allen
      elected to continue the health plan in which he was participating before joining
      the Company, and in consideration for his doing so, the Company agrees to
      reimburse him up to $1,000 of the monthly premiums of that plan.&#160;&#160;Mr.
      Allen's employment agreement entitles him to five weeks of paid vacation a
      year,
      and in the event of his death, his estate is entitled to be paid for accrued,
      but unused vacation time.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      all
      other material respects, including termination of employment and resignation,
      the terms of Mr.&#160;Allen's employment agreement are the same as the
      employment agreements of Messrs. Manning and Harper described
      above.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
                  9.01</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Financial
                  Statements and Other Exhibits </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)&#160;
      <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Exhibits</font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" nowrap valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                No.</font></font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">10.1#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 19, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and Patrick T. Manning (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">10.2#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 19, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and Joseph P. Harper, Sr. (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">10.3#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 16, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and James H. Allen, Jr. (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">10.4#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Option
                Agreement dated August 7, 2007 between Sterling Construction Company,
                Inc.
                and James H. Allen, Jr. (filed
                herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">_________________</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">#&#160;&#160;Management
      contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">Signatures</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
      to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
      has
      duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
      duly authorized.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Date:
                January 17, 2008</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sterling
                Construction Company,
                Inc</font>.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">/s/
                Roger M. Barzun</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Roger
                M. Barzun</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="52%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="48%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Senior
                Vice President</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          4 of
          5</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">Exhibit
      Index</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" nowrap valign="bottom" width="8%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                No.</font></font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><a href="ex10_1.htm">10.1</a>#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 19, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and Patrick T. Manning (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><a href="ex10_2.htm">10.2</a>#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 19, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and Joseph P. Harper, Sr. (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><a href="ex10_3.htm">10.3</a>#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Employment
                Agreement dated as of July 16, 2007 between Sterling Construction
                Company,
                Inc. and James H. Allen, Jr. (filed herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="8%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><a href="ex10_4.htm">10.4</a>#</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="89%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Option
                Agreement dated August 7, 2007 between Sterling Construction Company,
                Inc.
                and James H. Allen, Jr. (filed
                herewith)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">_________________</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">#
        Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. </font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">_________________________
      </font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font size="2">Page 5 of 5</font><br>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex10_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1
<TEXT>
<html>

  <head>
    <title>ex10_1.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: EDGARfilings-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.3.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved -->
</head>
    <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="4" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="33%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="34%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">Sterling
                Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">Exhibit
                10.1</font>&#160; </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="33%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td nowrap valign="bottom" width="34%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Patrick
                T. Manning Employment Agreement</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="33%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THIS
      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Agreement</font>") is made to be
      effective as of&#160;&#160;July 19, 2007 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Effective Date</font>") by and
      between Patrick T. Manning (hereinafter referred to as "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Mr. Manning</font>") and Sterling
      Construction Company, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Company.</font>")</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Background</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Manning has been an employee of the Company under an employment agreement that
      expired at the close of business on July 18, 2007 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Prior
      Agreement.</font>")&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning and the Company wish to enter into
      another employment agreement on the terms and conditions set forth
      herein.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THEREFORE,
      for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other
      good
      and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
      acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Term
&amp;
Transition</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt">
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning's employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective
                Date and shall expire on the earlier to occur of (a) a termination
                of his
                employment pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9</font>
                (Termination by Mr. Manning) below; or (b) 5:00 p.m. Central Time
                on
                December 31, 2010. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Because
                this Agreement will be in effect for only a part of calendar year
                2007,
                Mr. Manning's salary shall be pro rated as provided in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                below. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                calendar year 2007, the provisions of the Prior Agreement relating
                to
                vacation shall be superseded in their entirety by the provisions
                relating
                to vacation in this Agreement. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Title,
                Reporting Relationship,
                Responsibilities &amp; Place of Employment</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">So
                long as Mr. Manning is an employee of the Company under this Agreement
&#8212;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                shall be elected to the position or positions set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2a.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                shall have the reporting relationship set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                shall devote his full working time to diligently carrying out the
                duties
                and responsibilities set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font> to
                the best of&#160;&#160;abilities; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">His
                place of employment shall be based in Houston, Texas except for required
                travel on the Company's business. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compensation</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cash
                Compensation</font>.&#160;&#160;Subject to the transition provisions for
                calendar year 2007 set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                below, so long as Mr. Manning is an employee of the Company under
                this
                Agreement, he shall be paid the Base Payroll Salary and shall be
                eligible
                to earn the Base Deferred Salary and the Incentive Bonus set forth
                in
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>
                in accordance with the terms thereof.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Base
                Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus if and to the extent either is
                earned
                in a given year shall be paid after January 1 and before March 15
                of the
                calendar year immediately following such year.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                cash compensation shall be subject to legally-required and any voluntary
                withholdings and deductions. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Benefits</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.
                Manning shall be entitled to the same health, life insurance, disability
                and other like benefits as are made available to the Company's senior
                managers generally, and on the same terms and conditions.&#160;&#160;He
                shall also be entitled to paid vacation time as set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          </div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Business
                Expense
                Reimbursement</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning shall be reimbursed in
                accordance with the Company's business expense reimbursement policy
                from
                time to time in effect for all reasonable business expenses incurred
                by
                him in the performance of his duties.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Indemnification</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning shall be indemnified by the Company with respect to claims
                made
                against him as a director, officer and/or employee of the Company
                and of
                any affiliate of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the
                Company's charter, by-laws and the laws of the State of Delaware.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall ensure that Mr. Manning is covered by a standard form
                directors and officers liability insurance policy obtained and maintained
                at no cost to Mr. Manning. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Confidential
                Information</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
                his employment by the Company and thereafter, Mr. Manning shall not
                disclose to any person or entity Confidential Information (as defined
                below) except in the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities
                under this Agreement, or except as may be expressly authorized by
                the
                Board of Directors of the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Confidential
                Information</font>" is defined as any information of the Company or its
                affiliates that derives independent economic value from not being
                generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means and includes,
                but
                is not limited to trade secrets, customer names and lists, vendor
                names
                and lists, business plans, marketing plans, non-public financial
                data,
                product specifications and designs, inventions, discoveries, processes,
                drawings, documents, records, software, or any information of a third
                party that is held by the Company or its affiliates under an obligation
                of
                confidentiality. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>.&#160;&#160;For purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> only,
                the term "the Company" shall include the Company's
                affiliates.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning's obligations with respect to competing
                with the Company and soliciting its employees shall be as follows
                (the
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>"): </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning shall not render services or advice, whether for compensation
                or
                without compensation and whether as an employee, officer, director,
                principal or otherwise, to any person or organization with respect
                to any
                product or service that is competitive with a product or service
                of the
                Company in which he was actively engaged during his employment by
                the
                Company or of which he has detailed knowledge; or with any planned
                business in which he had an active part in the planning or of which
                he has
                detailed knowledge. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning shall not either directly or indirectly as agent or otherwise
                in
                any manner solicit, influence or encourage any customer of the Company
                to
                take away or to divert or direct its business to himself or to any
                person
                or entity by or with which he is employed, associated, affiliated
                or
                otherwise related (other than the Company.)
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning shall not recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee
                of
                the Company to terminate his or her employment with or otherwise
                cease his
                or her relationship with the Company.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Non-Compete Obligations apply to the state of Texas and any other
                state in
                which the Company and its affiliates taken as a whole receives more
                than
                10% of its annual revenues. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning's obligations under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> shall
                continue (a) so long as he is an employee of the Company; and (b)
                after
                his employment terminates (whether by reason of the expiration of
                this
                Agreement or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9</font>
                (Termination by Mr. Manning)) below, or otherwise) for a period of
                twelve
                months; or for the period, if any, during which he is entitled to
                be paid
                his Base Payroll Salary, whichever period is longer.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            2 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the
                Company</font>.&#160;&#160;Prior to the expiration of this Agreement, the
                Company may terminate Mr. Manning's employment only pursuant to the
                following terms and on the following conditions:
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr. Manning's
                employment Without Cause (as defined below) by giving him ninety
                days'
                prior written notice thereof, in which event &#8212;
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.1.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                  Company shall continue to pay him his Base Payroll Salary then
                  in effect
                  through December 31, 2010 or for twelve full calendar months, whichever
                  period is longer (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Severance Period;</font>")
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.2.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
                  the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to cover Mr. Manning
                  under the medical and dental plans sponsored by the Company for
                  its
                  employees with the same coverage he had immediately prior to the
                  termination of his employment, provided that Mr. Manning remits
                  to the
                  Company on a timely basis an amount equal to the applicable monthly
                  COBRA
                  premium (less the COBRA administrative surcharge) for such continued
                  coverage; and the Company shall reimburse Mr. Manning for any medical
                  premium expenses incurred by him hereunder within thirty days after
                  the
                  date of his payment thereof. To the extent that any medical or
                  dental
                  expense or in-kind benefits provided for under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                  8.1.2</font>
                  are taxable to Mr. Manning in a given year, any such expense shall
                  be
                  reimbursed to Mr. Manning by the Company within thirty days of
                  such
                  expense being incurred by him, and any expenses reimbursed or in-kind
                  benefits provided hereunder shall not affect the expenses eligible
                  for
                  reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any other year.
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.3.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                  Company shall pay Mr. Manning in the manner and at the time set
                  forth in
                  <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                  A</font>, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary and of any Incentive
                  Bonus
                  that he would have earned had he remained an employee of the Company
                  through the end of the calendar year in which his employment terminated,
                  such portion to be based on the number of days during such year
                  that he
                  was an employee of the Company; and
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.4.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                  Company shall permit him to purchase any insurance maintained by
                  the
                  Company for its own benefit on his life at its then cash surrender
                  value.
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      foregoing severance benefits are the only benefits and payments to which Mr.
      Manning is entitled that arise out of the termination of his employment under
      this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
      8.1</font>.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Definition
                of Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning's employment shall be deemed to have
                been terminated by the Company Without Cause unless termination is
                for one
                of the reasons set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                below, by reason of his death or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.1</font>,
                below. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                for Permanent
                Disability</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr. Manning's
                employment if he shall become permanently disabled.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning
                shall be considered to have become permanently disabled if during
                any
                consecutive twelve-month period, because of ill health, or physical
                or
                mental disability, he shall have been continuously unable to perform
                his
                duties under this Agreement, in whole or in substantial part, for
                one
                hundred eighty consecutive days.&#160;&#160;The phrase "substantial part"
                means the inability of Mr. Manning to perform and devote at least
                eight
                hours per work day to the performance of his duties and responsibilities.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Upon
                the Death of Mr.
                Manning</font>.&#160;&#160;In the event of Mr. Manning's death during the
                term of this Agreement, his employment shall thereupon terminate
                and the
                Company shall pay his estate &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
          <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

              <tr valign="top">
                <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
                </td>
                <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.1.</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">His
                    Base Payroll Salary then in effect through the date of his death
                    to the
                    extent not already paid; and
</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            3 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.2.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                  the manner and at the time provided in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                  A</font>, a
                  portion of any Base Deferred Salary and any Incentive Bonus that
                  he would
                  have earned had he remained an employee through the end of the
                  calendar
                  year in which his death occurred, such portion to be based on the
                  number
                  of days during such year that he was an employee.
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.5.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                  for
                  Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr. Manning's
                  employment for Cause (as defined below) by giving him written notice
                  of
                  termination.&#160;&#160;In the event of the termination of Mr. Manning's
                  employment for Cause, the Company shall pay him any accrued but
                  unpaid
                  Base Payroll Salary through the date of termination and any other
                  legally-required payments through that date.&#160;&#160;For the avoidance
                  of doubt, no Base Deferred Salary and no Incentive Bonus shall
                  be payable
                  to him for the year in which his employment is terminated for
                  Cause.&#160;</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Definition
                of
                Cause</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">.</font>&#160;&#160;For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cause</font>" for
                termination of Mr. Manning's employment shall mean any one or more
                of the
                following: </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                  Manning&#8217;s gross neglect of his duties, gross negligence in the performance
                  of his duties, or his refusal to perform his duties.
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 73pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning&#8217;s unsatisfactory performance of his duties that is not cured
                within thirty working days after written notice is given to him
                specifically identifying each reason why Mr. Manning&#8217;s performance is
                unsatisfactory and what he can do to cure such unsatisfactory performance.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Any
                  act of theft or other dishonesty by Mr. Manning, including, but
                  not
                  limited to any intentional misapplication of the Company's or its
                  affiliates' funds or other property.
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 73pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                Manning&#8217;s conviction of any criminal activity not described in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Subsection
                (c)</font>,
                above, or participation in an activity involving moral turpitude
                that is
                or could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the business or
                reputation of the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
                  Manning&#8217;s immoderate use of alcohol and/or the use of non-prescribed
                  narcotics that adversely and materially affects the performance
                  of his
                  duties. </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by Mr.
                Manning</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Voluntary
                Resignation</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning may resign his employment with
                the Company on ninety days' prior written notice to the Company (the
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">90-Day Notice
                Period.</font>")&#160;&#160;Upon receipt of a notice of resignation, the
                Company &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt">
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
                accelerate the effective date of Mr. Manning's resignation to any
                date
                within the 90-Day Notice Period; and/or
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
                deem his notice of resignation a resignation by him of (i) any one
                or more
                of the offices then held by him in the Company; and (ii) any one
                or more
                of the directorships and offices then held by him in the Company's
                affiliates, in each case to be effective on any date or dates within
                the
                90-Day Notice Period. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event Mr. Manning's resignation becomes effective before the
                end of a
                calendar year, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary that he would
                have
                earned had he remained an employee through the end of such calendar
                year
                shall be paid to him in the manner and at the time set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, such
                portion to be based on the number of days during such year that he
                was an
                employee, but no Incentive Bonus shall be payable to him for such
                year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event that Mr. Manning's resignation becomes effective at or
                after the
                end of the calendar year in which he gave notice of his resignation,
                he
                shall be entitled to Base Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus for
                the year
                in which he gave notice of his resignation to the same extent as
                if he had
                not given notice of his resignation.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            4 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
                Incentive Bonus shall be payable to Mr. Manning with respect to the
                calendar year following the calendar year in which he gives notice
                of his
                resignation. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Constructive
                Termination</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr. Manning may terminate his employment if
                (a) the Company commits a Breach (as defined below) of this Agreement;
                (b)
                Mr. Manning gives the Company detailed written notice of the Breach
                within
                thirty days after the occurrence thereof; and (c) the Company shall
                fail
                to cure the Breach within thirty days after the receipt of such notice
                or,
                if the nature of the Breach is such that it cannot practicably be
                cured in
                thirty days, if the Company shall fail to diligently and in good
                faith
                commence a cure of the Breach within such thirty-day period.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event of the termination by Mr. Manning of his employment by
                reason of
                a Breach by the Company, the termination shall be deemed for purposes
                of
                this Agreement to be a termination by the Company Without Cause,
                and the
                Company shall be required to perform all of its obligations described
                in
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.1</font>, above. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.5</font>,
                above, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Breach</font>"
                shall mean a material breach by the Company of any one or more of
                the
                material terms or conditions of this Agreement.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Notices</font>.&#160;&#160;All
                notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing
                and
                shall be deemed given by a party when hand delivered to the other
                party
                against a receipt therefor or when deposited with a delivery service
                that
                provides next-business-day delivery and proof of delivery, in either
                case
                addressed to the other party as follows:
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt" align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="98%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">the Company
                at:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">With
                a copy to:</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Sterling
                Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Roger
                M. Barzun</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">20810
                Fernbush Lane</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">60
                Hubbard Street</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Houston,
                Texas 77073</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Concord,
                Massachusetts 01742</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Attention</font>:&#160;&#160;Board
                of Directors</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to Mr. Manning,</font> at
                his most recent home address as shown in the Company's employment
                records.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">&#160;</td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">or
      to
      such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party
      to
      receive such notice.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">11.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Severability</font>.&#160;&#160;If
                any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is finally
                declared
                to be invalid by any tribunal of competent jurisdiction, such part
                shall
                be deemed automatically adjusted, if possible, to conform to the
                requirements for validity, but, if such adjustment is not possible,
                it
                shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement as though it had never
                been
                included herein.&#160;&#160;In either case, the balance of any such
                provision and of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
                effect.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no provision
                shall be deleted if it is clearly apparent under the circumstances
                that
                either or both of the parties would not have entered into this Agreement
                without such provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">12.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Survival</font>.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding
                the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement or of Mr.
                Manning's employment for any reason, the terms and conditions of
<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                6</font>
                (Confidential Information) and <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font>
                (Non-Compete Obligations) above, and any other obligation of a party
                that
                by its terms is to be performed or is to have continued effect after
                such
                termination shall survive such expiration or termination.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Proration</font>.&#160;&#160;Any
                amount payable to Mr. Manning hereunder for a period shorter than
                the
                period for which it is provided herein shall be pro-rated on a daily
                basis
                using a 365-day year. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            5 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
          <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

              <tr valign="top">
                <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.</font></div>
                </td>
                <td align="left">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Miscellaneous</font>.
                    </font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Entire
                Agreement</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement together with <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>
                contains the entire understanding of the parties on the subject matter
                hereof; shall not be amended, except by written agreement of the
                parties
                signed by each of them; shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
                of, the parties and their successors, personal representatives and
                permitted assigns; and shall not be assignable by either party without
                the
                prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company
                may
                assign this Agreement to any entity acquiring all of the stock, business
                or assets of the Company, provided that the acquiror assumes all
                of the
                Company 's obligations hereunder. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Construction</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                party has read and understood this Agreement and each party has had
                an
                opportunity to review this agreement with its or his counsel. Accordingly,
                each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced
                without
                the aid of any canon, custom or rule of law requiring or suggesting
                construction against the party drafting or causing the drafting of
                such
                provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                words "herein," "hereof," "hereunder," "hereby," "herewith" and words
                of
                similar import when used in this Agreement shall be construed to
                refer to
                this Agreement as a whole. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">An
                "affiliate" of the Company is any entity controlling, controlled
                by, or
                under common control with the Company.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Prior
                Agreements</font>.&#160;&#160;No representation, affirmation of fact,
                course of prior dealings, promise or condition in connection herewith
                or
                usage of the trade not expressly incorporated herein shall be binding
                on
                the parties. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Waiver</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant
                or
                condition contained herein shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
                nor
                shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right at any one or more
                times
                be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right at any other time
                or
                times.&#160;&#160;No term or condition hereof shall be waived unless in
                writing by the party to be bound by such waiver;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Captions</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                captions of the paragraphs herein are for convenience only and shall
                not
                be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Counterparts
&amp;
                Execution</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement may be executed in multiple
                counterparts, each of which may be considered an original, but all
                of
                which together shall constitute but one and the same
                instrument.&#160;&#160;This Agreement when signed by a party may be
                delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission with the
                same
                force and effect as if the same were an executed and delivered original
                manually-signed counterpart. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">15.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Governing
                Law</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
                in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of Texas without
                giving
                effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
                (whether
                of the State of Texas or of any other jurisdiction) that would cause
                the
                application hereto of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
                State of
                Texas. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compliance
                with Section 409A of
                the Code</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                the extent that any payment to Mr. Manning under this Agreement is
                deemed
                to be deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section
                409A of
                the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Code</font>") this
                Agreement
                shall be operated in compliance with the applicable requirements
                of
                Section 409A of the Code ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section 409A</font>") and
                its
                corresponding regulations and related guidance with respect to the
                payment
                in question.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
                contrary, any payment under this Agreement that is subject to the
                requirements of Section 409A may only be made in a manner and upon
                an
                event permitted by Section 409A.&#160;&#160;To the extent that any
                provision of this Agreement would cause a conflict with the requirements
                of Section 409A, or would cause the administration of this Agreement
                to
                fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, such provision
                shall be
                deemed null and void to the extent permitted by applicable law, and
                the
                Company may modify this Agreement in such a manner as to comply with
                such
                requirements without Mr. Manning's consent.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            6 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                Mr. Manning is a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the
                Code
                (without regard to paragraph 5 thereof)) except to the extent permitted
                under Section 409A, no benefit or payment that is subject to Section
                409A
                (after taking into account all applicable exceptions to Section 409A,
                including but not limited to the exceptions for short-term deferrals
                and
                for separation pay only upon an involuntary separation from service)
                shall
                be made under this Agreement on account of Mr. Manning's separation
                from
                service (as defined in Section 409A) with the Company until the later
                of &#8212;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                date prescribed for payment in this Agreement; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                first day of the seventh calendar month that begins after the date
                of Mr.
                Manning's separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of his
                death.)
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                payments that were delayed by reason of the application of the date
                prescribed by <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                16.2.2</font>,
                above (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section
                16.2.2 Date</font>") shall be aggregated and paid to Mr. Manning on the
                Section 16.2.2 Date in a lump sum together with interest computed
                from the
                date each such payment would have first been paid to him absent the
                application of the Section 16.2.2 Date until paid using the Non-LIBOR
                rate
                of interest the Company would have paid had it borrowed the amount
                of the
                payment under its revolving line of credit.&#160;&#160;After the Section
                16.2.2 Date, the Company shall pay any other amounts provided for
                herein
                to the extent and in the manner provided in this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
      day
      and year first above written.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div align="left">
        <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

            <tr>
              <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="45%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Sterling
                  Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="43%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="43%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td valign="top" width="2%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:</font></div>
              </td>
              <td valign="top" width="43%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">&#160;</td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="43%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Robert
                  W. Frickel</font></div>
              </td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Patrick
                  T. Manning</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="43%">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Chairman
                  of the Compensation Committee</font></div>
              </td>
              <td valign="top" width="5%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td valign="top" width="50%">&#160;</td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div><br></div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            7 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">Exhibit
        A</font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                "SCC" means the Company.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Title</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning shall be elected annually Chief Executive Officer of the
                Company.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Duties
                and Responsibilities</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning shall carry out the customary duties and responsibilities
                of a
                chief executive officer of a publicly-traded company.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Reporting
                Relationship</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                carrying out those duties and responsibilities, Mr. Manning shall
                report
                to SCC's Board of Directors.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Payroll Salary</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning's annualized Base Payroll Salary shall be $365,000, which
                shall be
                paid to him commencing as of July 19, 2007 in bi-weekly installments
                at
                the same time and in the same manner as other senior managers of
                the
                Company are paid their Base Payroll Salaries.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Deferred Salary</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning's annualized Base Deferred Salary shall be $162,500 and shall
                be
                paid to him if in a given calendar year SCC achieves seventy-five
                percent
                of the EBITDA budgeted for such year provided that the budget was
                approved
                by the Board of Directors of SCC.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">However,
                if 75% of budgeted EBITDA is achieved in 2007 &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                the period January 1 through and including July 18, 2007, Mr. Manning
                shall be paid an amount equal to 54.25% of his "bonus" under the
                Prior
                Agreement; and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                the period from and including the Effective Date through and including
                December 31, 2007, Mr. Manning shall be paid an amount equal to 45.75%
                of
                his Base Deferred Salary set forth above.</font>&#160; </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Incentive
                Bonus</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Each
                calendar year including calendar year 2007, Mr. Manning shall be
                eligible
                to earn an Incentive Bonus of up to $162,500.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Of
                that amount &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                </font>Sixty percent shall be paid to Mr. Manning if SCC achieves
                the
                fully-diluted earnings per share budgeted for such year provided
                that the
                budget was approved by the Board of Directors of SCC ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Budgeted EPS</font>");
                and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Forty percent will be based upon the extent to which, if at all,
                Mr.
                Manning has achieved the personal goals and objectives established
                for him
                for such year , <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">provided
                however</font>, that for calendar year 2007, the forty percent portion of
                the Incentive bonus shall be awarded, if at all, in the sole discretion
                of
                the Compensation Committee.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                foregoing is in lieu of any "Additional Bonus" that might otherwise
                be
                payable under the Prior Agreement.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                determining whether Budgeted EPS has been achieved in a given year,
                any
                shares of common stock of SCC issued during such year otherwise than
                out
                of a reserve therefor that had been established at or before the
                approval
                of the budget shall be ignored.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning's personal goals and objectives for a given year shall be
                established in consultation with, shall be subject to final approval
                by,
                and the extent of their achievement shall be determined by SCC's
                Board of
                Directors and SCC's Compensation
                Committee.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
            8 of
            9</font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Patrick
        T. Manning Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EBITDA</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, EBITDA means the net income of SCC on
                a
                consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted
                accounting principles for a given calendar year &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Interest expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Depreciation and amortization expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Federal and state income tax expense incurred for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Extraordinary Items (to the extent negative) if any, for the
                period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;</font>Extraordinary
                Items
                (to the extent positive) if any;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Interest income for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Any fees paid to non-employee directors; and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">in
                calculating EBITDA for a given year, appropriate and equitable adjustment
                shall be made for any material changes in the Company&#8217;s business that
                occur during such year, such as an acquisition of a business or the
                sale
                of a part of the business.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Vacation</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="69%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.
                Manning shall be eligible to take so many days vacation per year
                as he
                believes is appropriate in light of the needs of the
                business.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
      9 of
      9&#160;</font></div>
    <div>
      <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
    </div>
  </body>
</html>



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.2
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex10_2.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.2
<TEXT>
<html>

  <head>
    <title>ex10_2.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: EDGARfilings-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.3.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved -->
</head>
    <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="4" width="100%">
    </div><br>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="25%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">STERLING
                CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="25%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EXHIBIT
                10.2</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Joseph
      P. Harper, Sr. Employment Agreement</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THIS
      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Agreement</font>") is made to be
      effective as of&#160;&#160;July 19, 2007 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Effective Date</font>") by and
      between Joseph P. Harper, Sr. (hereinafter referred to as "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Mr.&#160;Harper</font>") and
      Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Company.</font>")</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Background</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
      has been an employee of the Company under an employment agreement that expired
      at the close of business on July 18, 2007 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Prior
      Agreement.</font>")&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper and the Company wish to enter
      into another employment agreement on the terms and conditions set forth
      herein.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THEREFORE,
      for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other
      good
      and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
      acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Term
&amp;
Transition</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper's
                employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date
                and
                shall expire on the earlier to occur of (a) a termination of his
                employment pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9</font>
                (Termination by Mr.&#160;Harper) below; or (b) 5:00 p.m. Central Time on
                December 31, 2010. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Because
                this Agreement will be in effect for only a part of calendar year
                2007,
                Mr.&#160;Harper's salary shall be pro rated as provided in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                below. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                calendar year 2007, the provisions of the Prior Agreement relating
                to
                vacation shall be superseded in their entirety by the provisions
                relating
                to vacation in this Agreement. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Title,
                Reporting Relationship,
                Responsibilities &amp; Place of Employment</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">So
                long as Mr.&#160;Harper is an employee of the Company under this Agreement
                &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">2.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">He
                shall be elected to the position or positions set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">2.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">He
                shall have the reporting relationship set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">2.1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">He
                shall devote his full working time to diligently carrying out the
                duties
                and responsibilities set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font> to
                the best of&#160;&#160;abilities; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">2.1.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">His
                place of employment shall be based in Houston, Texas except for required
                travel on the Company's business. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compensation</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt">
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cash
                Compensation</font>.&#160;&#160;Subject to the transition provisions for
                calendar year 2007 set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                below, so long as Mr.&#160;Harper is an employee of the Company under this
                Agreement, he shall be paid the Base Payroll Salary and shall be
                eligible
                to earn the Base Deferred Salary and the Incentive Bonus set forth
                in
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>
                in accordance with the terms thereof.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">3.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus if and to the extent either is
                earned
                in a given year shall be paid after January 1 and before March 15
                of the
                calendar year immediately following such year.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">3.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">All
                cash compensation shall be subject to legally-required and any voluntary
                withholdings and deductions. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Benefits</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall be entitled to the same health, life insurance, disability
                and other
                like benefits as are made available to the Company's senior managers
                generally, and on the same terms and conditions.&#160;&#160;He shall also
                be entitled to paid vacation time as set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Business
                Expense
                Reimbursement</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper shall be reimbursed in
                accordance with the Company's business expense reimbursement policy
                from
                time to time in effect for all reasonable business expenses incurred
                by
                him in the performance of his duties.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Indemnification</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall be indemnified by the Company with respect to claims made against
                him as a director, officer and/or employee of the Company and of
                any
                affiliate of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's
                charter, by-laws and the laws of the State of Delaware.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall ensure that Mr.&#160;Harper is covered by a standard form
                directors and officers liability insurance policy obtained and maintained
                at no cost to Mr.&#160;Harper. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Confidential
                Information</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
                his employment by the Company and thereafter, Mr.&#160;Harper shall not
                disclose to any person or entity Confidential Information (as defined
                below) except in the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities
                under this Agreement, or except as may be expressly authorized by
                the
                Board of Directors of the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Confidential
                Information</font>" is defined as any information of the Company or its
                affiliates that derives independent economic value from not being
                generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means and includes,
                but
                is not limited to trade secrets, customer names and lists, vendor
                names
                and lists, business plans, marketing plans, non-public financial
                data,
                product specifications and designs, inventions, discoveries, processes,
                drawings, documents, records, software, or any information of a third
                party that is held by the Company or its affiliates under an obligation
                of
                confidentiality. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>.&#160;&#160;For purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> only,
                the term "the Company" shall include the Company's
                affiliates.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper's obligations with respect to
                competing with the Company and soliciting its employees shall be
                as
                follows (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>"): </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall not render services or advice, whether for compensation or
                without
                compensation and whether as an employee, officer, director, principal
                or
                otherwise, to any person or organization with respect to any product
                or
                service that is competitive with a product or service of the Company
                in
                which he was actively engaged during his employment by the Company
                or of
                which he has detailed knowledge; or with any planned business in
                which he
                had an active part in the planning or of which he has detailed knowledge.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall not either directly or indirectly as agent or otherwise in
                any
                manner solicit, influence or encourage any customer of the Company
                to take
                away or to divert or direct its business to himself or to any person
                or
                entity by or with which he is employed, associated, affiliated or
                otherwise related (other than the Company.)
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall not recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of
                the
                Company to terminate his or her employment with or otherwise cease
                his or
                her relationship with the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Non-Compete Obligations apply to the state of Texas and any other
                state in
                which the Company and its affiliates taken as a whole receives more
                than
                10% of its annual revenues. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Harper's
                obligations under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> shall
                continue (a) so long as he is an employee of the Company; and (b)
                after
                his employment terminates (whether by reason of the expiration of
                this
                Agreement or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;9</font>
                (Termination by Mr.&#160;Harper)) below, or otherwise) for a period of
                twelve months; or for the period, if any, during which he is entitled
                to
                be paid his Base Payroll Salary, whichever period is longer.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          2 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the
                Company</font>.&#160;&#160;Prior to the expiration of this Agreement, the
                Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Harper's employment only pursuant to the
                following terms and on the following conditions:
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Harper's
                employment Without Cause (as defined below) by giving him ninety
                days'
                prior written notice thereof, in which event &#8212;
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                Company shall continue to pay him his Base Payroll Salary then in
                effect
                through December 31, 2010 or for twelve full calendar months, whichever
                period is longer (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Severance Period;</font>")
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">During
                the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to cover Mr.&#160;Harper
                under the medical and dental plans sponsored by the Company for its
                employees with the same coverage he had immediately prior to the
                termination of his employment, provided that Mr.&#160;Harper remits to the
                Company on a timely basis an amount equal to the applicable monthly
                COBRA
                premium (less the COBRA administrative surcharge) for such continued
                coverage; and the Company shall reimburse Mr.&#160;Harper for any medical
                premium expenses incurred by him hereunder within thirty days after
                the
                date of his payment thereof.&#160;&#160;To the extent that any medical or
                dental expense or in-kind benefits provided for under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;8.1.2</font>
                are taxable to Mr.&#160;Harper in a given year, any such expense shall be
                reimbursed to Mr.&#160;Harper by the Company within thirty days of such
                expense being incurred by him, and any expenses reimbursed or in-kind
                benefits provided hereunder shall not affect the expenses eligible
                for
                reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any other year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                Company shall pay Mr.&#160;Harper in the manner and at the time set forth
                in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary and of any Incentive
                Bonus
                that he would have earned had he remained an employee of the Company
                through the end of the calendar year in which his employment terminated,
                such portion to be based on the number of days during such year that
                he
                was an employee of the Company; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.1.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                Company shall permit him to purchase any insurance maintained by
                the
                Company for its own benefit on his life at its then cash surrender
                value.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      foregoing severance benefits are the only benefits and payments to which
      Mr.&#160;Harper is entitled that arise out of the termination of his employment
      under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
      8.1</font>.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Definition
                of Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper's employment shall be deemed to
                have been terminated by the Company Without Cause unless termination
                is
                for one of the reasons set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                below, by reason of his death or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.1</font>,
                below. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                for Permanent
                Disability</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Harper's
                employment if he shall become permanently
                disabled.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper shall be considered to have become
                permanently disabled if during any consecutive twelve-month period,
                because of ill health, or physical or mental disability, he shall
                have
                been continuously unable to perform his duties under this Agreement,
                in
                whole or in substantial part, for one hundred eighty consecutive
                days.&#160;&#160;The phrase "substantial part" means the inability of
                Mr.&#160;Harper to perform and devote at least eight hours per work day to
                the performance of his duties and responsibilities.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Upon
                the Death of
                Mr.&#160;Harper</font>.&#160;&#160;In the event of Mr.&#160;Harper's death
                during the term of this Agreement, his employment shall thereupon
                terminate and the Company shall pay his estate&#160;&#8212;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.4.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">His
                Base Payroll Salary then in effect through the date of his death
                to the
                extent not already paid; and </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          3 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.4.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                the manner and at the time provided in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, a
                portion of any Base Deferred Salary and any Incentive Bonus that
                he would
                have earned had he remained an employee through the end of the calendar
                year in which his death occurred, such portion to be based on the
                number
                of days during such year that he was an employee.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                for
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Harper's
                employment for Cause (as defined below) by giving him written notice
                of
                termination.&#160;&#160;In the event of the termination of
                Mr.&#160;Harper's employment for Cause, the Company shall pay him any
                accrued but unpaid Base Payroll Salary through the date of termination
                and
                any other legally-required payments through that date.&#160;&#160;For the
                avoidance of doubt, no Base Deferred Salary and no Incentive Bonus
                shall
                be payable to him for the year in which his employment is terminated
                for
                Cause. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">8.5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Definition
                of
                Cause</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">.</font>&#160;&#160;For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cause</font>" for
                termination of Mr.&#160;Harper's employment shall mean any one or more of
                the following: </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(a)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper&#8217;s
                gross neglect of his duties, gross negligence in the performance
                of his
                duties, or his refusal to perform his duties.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper&#8217;s
                unsatisfactory performance of his duties that is not cured within
                thirty
                working days after written notice is given to him specifically identifying
                each reason why Mr.&#160;Harper&#8217;s performance is unsatisfactory and what
                he can do to cure such unsatisfactory performance.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(c)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Any
                act of theft or other dishonesty by Mr.&#160;Harper, including, but not
                limited to any intentional misapplication of the Company's or its
                affiliates' funds or other property.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(d)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper&#8217;s
                conviction of any criminal activity not described in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Subsection&#160;(c)</font>,
                above, or participation in an activity involving moral turpitude
                that is
                or could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the business or
                reputation of the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 72pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(e)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper&#8217;s
                immoderate use of alcohol and/or the use of non-prescribed narcotics
                that
                adversely and materially affects the performance of his duties.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by
                Mr.&#160;Harper</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Voluntary
                Resignation</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper may resign his employment
                with the Company on ninety days' prior written notice to the Company
                (the
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">90-Day Notice
                Period.</font>")&#160;&#160;Upon receipt of a notice of resignation, the
                Company &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">9.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">May
                accelerate the effective date of Mr.&#160;Harper's resignation to any date
                within the 90-Day Notice Period; and/or
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">9.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">May
                deem his notice of resignation a resignation by him of (i) any one
                or more
                of the offices then held by him in the Company; and (ii) any one
                or more
                of the directorships and offices then held by him in the Company's
                affiliates, in each case to be effective on any date or dates within
                the
                90-Day Notice Period. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event Mr.&#160;Harper's resignation becomes effective before the end
                of a calendar year, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary that he
                would
                have earned had he remained an employee through the end of such calendar
                year shall be paid to him in the manner and at the time set forth
                in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, such
                portion to be based on the number of days during such year that he
                was an
                employee, but no Incentive Bonus shall be payable to him for such
                year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event that Mr.&#160;Harper's resignation becomes effective at or after
                the end of the calendar year in which he gave notice of his resignation,
                he shall be entitled to Base Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus
                for the
                year in which he gave notice of his resignation to the same extent
                as if
                he had not given notice of his resignation.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          4 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
                Incentive Bonus shall be payable to Mr.&#160;Harper with respect to the
                calendar year following the calendar year in which he gives notice
                of his
                resignation. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Constructive
                Termination</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Harper may terminate his
                employment if (a) the Company commits a Breach (as defined below)
                of this
                Agreement; (b) Mr.&#160;Harper gives the Company detailed written notice
                of the Breach within thirty days after the occurrence thereof; and
                (c) the
                Company shall fail to cure the Breach within thirty days after the
                receipt
                of such notice or, if the nature of the Breach is such that it cannot
                practicably be cured in thirty days, if the Company shall fail to
                diligently and in good faith commence a cure of the Breach within
                such
                thirty-day period. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event of the termination by Mr.&#160;Harper of his employment by
                reason of a Breach by the Company, the termination shall be deemed
                for
                purposes of this Agreement to be a termination by the Company Without
                Cause, and the Company shall be required to perform all of its obligations
                described in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.1</font>,
                above. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.5</font>,
                above, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Breach</font>"
                shall mean a material breach by the Company of any one or more of
                the
                material terms or conditions of this Agreement.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Notices</font>.&#160;&#160;All
                notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing
                and
                shall be deemed given by a party when hand delivered to the other
                party
                against a receipt therefor or when deposited with a delivery service
                that
                provides next-business-day delivery and proof of delivery, in either
                case
                addressed to the other party as follows:
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="2%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="49%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">the Company
                at:</font></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Sterling
                Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">20810
                Fernbush Lane</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Houston,
                Texas 77073</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Attention</font>:&#160;&#160;Board
                of Directors</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="49%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">With
                a copy to:</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Roger
                M. Barzun</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">60
                Hubbard Street</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Concord,
                Massachusetts 01742</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="49%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 9pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to Mr.&#160;Harper,</font>
                at his most recent home address as shown in the Company's employment
                records.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">or
      to
      such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party
      to
      receive such notice.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">11.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Severability</font>.&#160;&#160;If
                any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is finally
                declared
                to be invalid by any tribunal of competent jurisdiction, such part
                shall
                be deemed automatically adjusted, if possible, to conform to the
                requirements for validity, but, if such adjustment is not possible,
                it
                shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement as though it had never
                been
                included herein.&#160;&#160;In either case, the balance of any such
                provision and of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
                effect.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no provision
                shall be deleted if it is clearly apparent under the circumstances
                that
                either or both of the parties would not have entered into this Agreement
                without such provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">12.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Survival</font>.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding
                the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement or of
                Mr.&#160;Harper's employment for any reason, the terms and conditions of
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;6</font>
                (Confidential Information) and <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;7</font>
                (Non-Compete Obligations) above, and any other obligation of a party
                that
                by its terms is to be performed or is to have continued effect after
                such
                termination shall survive such expiration or termination.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Proration</font>.&#160;&#160;Any
                amount payable to Mr.&#160;Harper hereunder for a period shorter than the
                period for which it is provided herein shall be pro-rated on a daily
                basis
                using a 365-day year. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          5 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">14.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Miscellaneous</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Entire
                Agreement</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement together with <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>
                contains the entire understanding of the parties on the subject matter
                hereof; shall not be amended, except by written agreement of the
                parties
                signed by each of them; shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
                of, the parties and their successors, personal representatives and
                permitted assigns; and shall not be assignable by either party without
                the
                prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company
                may
                assign this Agreement to any entity acquiring all of the stock, business
                or assets of the Company, provided that the acquiror assumes all
                of the
                Company 's obligations hereunder. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Construction</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                party has read and understood this Agreement and each party has had
                an
                opportunity to review this agreement with its or his counsel. Accordingly,
                each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced
                without
                the aid of any canon, custom or rule of law requiring or suggesting
                construction against the party drafting or causing the drafting of
                such
                provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                words "herein," "hereof," "hereunder," "hereby," "herewith" and words
                of
                similar import when used in this Agreement shall be construed to
                refer to
                this Agreement as a whole. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">An
                "affiliate" of the Company is any entity controlling, controlled
                by, or
                under common control with the Company.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Prior
                Agreements</font>.&#160;&#160;No representation, affirmation of fact,
                course of prior dealings, promise or condition in connection herewith
                or
                usage of the trade not expressly incorporated herein shall be binding
                on
                the parties. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Waiver</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant
                or
                condition contained herein shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
                nor
                shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right at any one or more
                times
                be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right at any other time
                or
                times.&#160;&#160;No term or condition hereof shall be waived unless in
                writing by the party to be bound by such waiver;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Captions</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                captions of the paragraphs herein are for convenience only and shall
                not
                be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Counterparts
&amp;
                Execution</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement may be executed in multiple
                counterparts, each of which may be considered an original, but all
                of
                which together shall constitute but one and the same
                instrument.&#160;&#160;This Agreement when signed by a party may be
                delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission with the
                same
                force and effect as if the same were an executed and delivered original
                manually-signed counterpart. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">15.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Governing
                Law</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
                in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of Texas without
                giving
                effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
                (whether
                of the State of Texas or of any other jurisdiction) that would cause
                the
                application hereto of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
                State of
                Texas. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="center">
      <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">16.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compliance
                with Section 409A of
                the Code</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                the extent that any payment to Mr.&#160;Harper under this Agreement is
                deemed to be deferred compensation subject to the requirements of
                Section
                409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Code</font>") this
                Agreement
                shall be operated in compliance with the applicable requirements
                of
                Section 409A of the Code ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section 409A</font>") and
                its
                corresponding regulations and related guidance with respect to the
                payment
                in question.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
                contrary, any payment under this Agreement that is subject to the
                requirements of Section 409A may only be made in a manner and upon
                an
                event permitted by Section 409A.&#160;&#160;To the extent that any
                provision of this Agreement would cause a conflict with the requirements
                of Section 409A, or would cause the administration of this Agreement
                to
                fail to satisfy the requirements of Section&#160;409A, such provision
                shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by applicable
                law,
                and the Company may modify this Agreement in such a manner as to
                comply
                with such requirements without Mr.&#160;Harper's consent.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          6 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                Mr.&#160;Harper is a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the
                Code (without regard to paragraph 5 thereof)) except to the extent
                permitted under Section 409A, no benefit or payment that is subject
                to
                Section 409A (after taking into account all applicable exceptions
                to
                Section 409A, including but not limited to the exceptions for short-term
                deferrals and for separation pay only upon an involuntary separation
                from
                service) shall be made under this Agreement on account of
                Mr.&#160;Harper's separation from service (as defined in Section 409A)
                with the Company until the later of &#8212;
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                date prescribed for payment in this Agreement; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                first day of the seventh calendar month that begins after the date
                of
                Mr.&#160;Harper's separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of his
                death.) </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                payments that were delayed by reason of the application of the date
                prescribed by <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                16.2.2</font>,
                above (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section
                16.2.2 Date</font>") shall be aggregated and paid to Mr.&#160;Harper on
                the Section 16.2.2 Date in a lump sum together with interest computed
                from
                the date each such payment would have first been paid to him absent
                the
                application of the Section 16.2.2 Date until paid using the Non-LIBOR
                rate
                of interest the Company would have paid had it borrowed the amount
                of the
                payment under its revolving line of credit.&#160;&#160;After the Section
                16.2.2 Date, the Company shall pay any other amounts provided for
                herein
                to the extent and in the manner provided in this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
      Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
      day
      and year first above written.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Sterling
      Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:</font></font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="45%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="49%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Patrick
                T. Manning</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="49%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Joseph
                P. Harper, Sr.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Chairman
                &amp; Chief Executive Officer</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          7 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">EXHIBIT
      A</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                "SCC" means the Company.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Title</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall be elected annually President and Chief Operating Officer of
                the
                Company.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Duties
                and Responsibilities</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall carry out the customary duties and responsibilities of a president
                and chief operating officer of a publicly-traded company.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Reporting
                Relationship</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                carrying out those duties and responsibilities, Mr.&#160;Harper shall
                report to SCC's Board of Directors.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Payroll Salary</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper's
                annualized Base Payroll Salary shall be $365,000, which shall be
                paid to
                him commencing as of July 19, 2007 in bi-weekly installments at the
                same
                time and in the same manner as other senior managers of the Company
                are
                paid their Base Payroll Salaries.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Deferred Salary</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper's
                annualized Base Deferred Salary shall be $162,500 and shall be paid
                to him
                if in a given calendar year SCC achieves seventy-five percent of
                the
                EBITDA budgeted for such year provided that the budget was approved
                by the
                Board of Directors of SCC.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">However,
                if 75% of budgeted EBITDA is achieved in 2007 &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                the period January 1 through and including July 18, 2007, Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall be paid an amount equal to 54.25% of his "bonus" under the
                Prior
                Agreement; and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                the period from and including the Effective Date through and including
                December 31, 2007, Mr.&#160;Harper shall be paid an amount equal to 45.75%
                of his Base Deferred Salary set forth above.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Incentive
                Bonus</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Each
                calendar year including calendar year 2007, Mr.&#160;Harper shall be
                eligible to earn an Incentive Bonus of up to $162,500.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Of
                that amount &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;</font>
                Sixty percent
                shall be paid to Mr.&#160;Harper if SCC achieves the fully-diluted
                earnings per share budgeted for such year provided that the budget
                was
                approved by the Board of Directors of SCC ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Budgeted EPS</font>");
                and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;</font>
                Forty percent
                will be based upon the extent to which, if at all, Mr.&#160;Harper has
                achieved the personal goals and objectives established for him for
                such
                year , <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">provided
                however</font>, that for calendar year 2007, the forty percent portion of
                the Incentive bonus shall be awarded, if at all, in the sole discretion
                of
                the Compensation Committee.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                foregoing is in lieu of any "Additional Bonus" that might otherwise
                be
                payable under the Prior Agreement.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                determining whether Budgeted EPS has been achieved in a given year,
                any
                shares of common stock of SCC issued during such year otherwise than
                out
                of a reserve therefor that had been established at or before the
                approval
                of the budget shall be ignored.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper's
                personal goals and objectives for a given year shall be established
                in
                consultation with, shall be subject to final approval by, and the
                extent
                of their achievement shall be determined by SCC's Board of Directors
                and
                SCC's Compensation Committee.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">&#160;</div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          8 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><font size="2">Joseph P. Harper, Sr.&#160;Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EBITDA</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, EBITDA means the net income of SCC on
                a
                consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted
                accounting principles for a given calendar year &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus
                Interest expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus
                Depreciation and amortization expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus
                Federal and state income tax expense incurred for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus
                Extraordinary Items (to the extent negative) if any, for the
                period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus
                Extraordinary Items (to the extent positive) if any;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus
                Interest income for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus
                Any fees paid to non-employee directors; and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">in
                calculating EBITDA for a given year, appropriate and equitable adjustment
                shall be made for any material changes in the Company&#8217;s business that
                occur during such year, such as an acquisition of a business or the
                sale
                of a part of the business.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Vacation</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Harper
                shall be eligible to take so many days vacation per year as he believes
                is
                appropriate in light of the needs of the business.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align="justify"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
      8
      of 8 </font>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div><br><br></body>
</html>



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.3
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>ex10_3.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.3
<TEXT>
<html>

  <head>
    <title>ex10_3.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: EDGARfilings-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.3.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved -->
</head>
    <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="4" width="100%">
    </div><br>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="33%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td nowrap valign="top" width="34%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">STERLING
                CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="right" valign="top" width="33%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EXHIBIT
                10.3</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
      H. Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="1" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THIS
      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Agreement</font>") is made to be
      effective as of&#160;&#160;July 16, 2007 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Effective Date</font>") by and
      between James H. Allen, Jr. (hereinafter referred to as "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Mr.&#160;Allen</font>") and Sterling
      Construction Company, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Company.</font>")</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Background</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Allen
      became an employee of the Company on July 16, 2007, and Mr. Allen and the
      Company wish to enter into a written employment agreement in order to
      memorialize the terms and conditions of his employment, as hereinafter set
      forth.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">THEREFORE,
      for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other
      good
      and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
      acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Term
&amp;
Transition</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date
                and
                shall expire on the earlier to occur of (a) a termination of his
                employment pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9</font>
                (Termination by Mr.&#160;Allen) below; or (b) 5:00 p.m. Central Time on
                December 31, 2010. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Title,
                Reporting Relationship,
                Responsibilities &amp; Place of Employment</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">So
                long as Mr.&#160;Allen is an employee of the Company under this Agreement
                &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                shall be elected to the position or positions set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                shall have the reporting relationship set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
        <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              </td>
              <td align="right" style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.3.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">He
                  shall devote his full working time to diligently carrying out the
                  duties
                  and responsibilities set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                  A</font> to
                  the best of&#160;&#160;abilities; and
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.1.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">His
                place of employment shall be based in Houston, Texas except for required
                travel on the Company's business. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                reporting relationship and his duties and responsibilities within
                his
                general area of expertise shall be subject to change by the Company
                in
                consultation with him as is reasonably required to meet the needs
                of the
                Company's business from time to time.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compensation</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cash
                Compensation</font>.&#160;&#160;So long as Mr.&#160;Allen is an employee
                of the Company under this Agreement, he shall be paid the Base Payroll
                Salary and shall be eligible to earn the Base Deferred Salary and
                the
                Incentive Bonus set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font> in
                accordance with the terms thereof. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Base
                Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus if and to the extent either is
                earned
                in a given year shall be paid after January 1 and before March 15
                of the
                calendar year immediately following such year.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                cash compensation shall be subject to legally-required and any voluntary
                withholdings and deductions. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Stock
                Incentive
                Compensation</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen shall be entitled to the
                stock incentive compensation set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Benefits</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall be entitled to the same life insurance, disability and other
                like
                benefits as are made available to the Company's senior managers generally,
                and on the same terms and conditions; however, Mr.&#160;Allen shall
                maintain his own health insurance plan, and the Company shall reimburse
                him for up to one thousand dollars of the monthly premiums
                thereof.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen shall also be entitled to paid vacation
                time as set forth on <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit&#160;A</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Business
                Expense
                Reimbursement</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen shall be reimbursed in
                accordance with the Company's business expense reimbursement policy
                from
                time to time in effect for all reasonable business expenses incurred
                by
                him in the performance of his duties.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Indemnification</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall be indemnified by the Company with respect to claims made against
                him as a director, officer and/or employee of the Company and of
                any
                affiliate of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Company's
                charter, by-laws and the laws of the State of Delaware.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall ensure that Mr.&#160;Allen is covered by a standard form
                directors and officers liability insurance policy obtained and maintained
                at no cost to Mr.&#160;Allen. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Confidential
                Information</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
                his employment by the Company and thereafter, Mr.&#160;Allen shall not
                disclose to any person or entity Confidential Information (as defined
                below) except in the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities
                under this Agreement, or except as may be expressly authorized by
                the
                Board of Directors of the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Confidential
                Information</font>" is defined as any information of the Company or its
                affiliates that derives independent economic value from not being
                generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means and includes,
                but
                is not limited to trade secrets, customer names and lists, vendor
                names
                and lists, business plans, marketing plans, non-public financial
                data,
                product specifications and designs, inventions, discoveries, processes,
                drawings, documents, records, software, or any information of a third
                party that is held by the Company or its affiliates under an obligation
                of
                confidentiality. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>.&#160;&#160;For purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> only,
                the term "the Company" shall include the Company's
                affiliates.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen's obligations with respect to
                competing with the Company and soliciting its employees shall be
                as
                follows (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Non-Compete
                Obligations</font>"): </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall not render services or advice, whether for compensation or
                without
                compensation and whether as an employee, officer, director, principal
                or
                otherwise, to any person or organization with respect to any product
                or
                service that is competitive with a product or service of the Company
                in
                which he was actively engaged during his employment by the Company
                or of
                which he has detailed knowledge; or with any planned business in
                which he
                had an active part in the planning or of which he has detailed knowledge.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall not either directly or indirectly as agent or otherwise in
                any
                manner solicit, influence or encourage any customer of the Company
                to take
                away or to divert or direct its business to himself or to any person
                or
                entity by or with which he is employed, associated, affiliated or
                otherwise related (other than the Company.)
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall not recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee of
                the
                Company to terminate his or her employment with or otherwise cease
                his or
                her relationship with the Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Non-Compete Obligations apply to the state of Texas and any other
                state in
                which the Company and its affiliates taken as a whole receives more
                than
                10% of its annual revenues. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                obligations under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                7</font> shall
                continue (a) so long as he is an employee of the Company; and (b)
                after
                his employment terminates (whether by reason of the expiration of
                this
                Agreement or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8</font>
                (Termination by the Company) or <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;9</font>
                (Termination by Mr.&#160;Allen)) below, or otherwise) for a period of
                twelve months; or for the period, if any, during which he is entitled
                to
                be paid his Base Payroll Salary, whichever period is longer.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          2 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the
                Company</font>.&#160;&#160;Prior to the expiration of this Agreement, the
                Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Allen's employment only pursuant to the
                following terms and on the following conditions:
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Allen's
                employment Without Cause (as defined below) by giving him ninety
                days'
                prior written notice thereof, in which event &#8212;
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall continue to pay him his Base Payroll Salary then in
                effect
                through December 31, 2010 or for twelve full calendar months, whichever
                period is longer (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Severance Period;</font>")
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">During
                the Severance Period, the Company shall continue to make the
                reimbursements to Mr.&#160;Allen described in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                3.3</font>,
                above.&#160;&#160;To the extent that any medical or dental expense or
                in-kind benefits provided for under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;8.1.2</font>
                are taxable to Mr.&#160;Allen in a given year, any such expense shall be
                reimbursed to Mr.&#160;Allen by the Company within thirty days of such
                expense being incurred by him, and any expenses reimbursed or in-kind
                benefits provided hereunder shall not affect the expenses eligible
                for
                reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any other year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall pay Mr.&#160;Allen in the manner and at the time set forth
                in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary and of any Incentive
                Bonus
                that he would have earned had he remained an employee of the Company
                through the end of the calendar year in which his employment terminated,
                such portion to be based on the number of days during such year that
                he
                was an employee of the Company; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 44pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.1.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company shall permit him to purchase any insurance maintained by
                the
                Company for its own benefit on his life at its then cash surrender
                value.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 40pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                foregoing severance benefits are the only benefits and payments to
                which
                Mr.&#160;Allen is entitled that arise out of the termination of his
                employment under this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.1</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Definition
                of Without
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen's employment shall be deemed to
                have been terminated by the Company Without Cause unless termination
                is
                for one of the reasons set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                below, by reason of his death or pursuant to <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.1</font>,
                below. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                for Permanent
                Disability</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Allen's
                employment if he shall become permanently
                disabled.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen shall be considered to have become
                permanently disabled if during any consecutive twelve-month period,
                because of ill health, or physical or mental disability, he shall
                have
                been continuously unable to perform his duties under this Agreement,
                in
                whole or in substantial part, for one hundred eighty consecutive
                days.&#160;&#160;The phrase "substantial part" means the inability of
                Mr.&#160;Allen to perform and devote at least eight hours per work day to
                the performance of his duties and responsibilities.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Upon
                the Death of
                Mr.&#160;Allen</font>.&#160;&#160;In the event of Mr.&#160;Allen's death
                during the term of this Agreement, his employment shall thereupon
                terminate and the Company shall pay his estate&#160;&#8212;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">His
                Base Payroll Salary then in effect through the date of his death
                to the
                extent not already paid; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                any unused vacation time that had accrued in accordance with the
                Company's
                policies at the date of his death; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          3 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.4.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the manner and at the time provided in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, a
                portion of any Base Deferred Salary and any Incentive Bonus that
                he would
                have earned had he remained an employee through the end of the calendar
                year in which his death occurred, such portion to be based on the
                number
                of days during such year that he was an employee.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                for
                Cause</font>.&#160;&#160;The Company may terminate Mr.&#160;Allen's
                employment for Cause (as defined below) by giving him written notice
                of
                termination.&#160;&#160;In the event of the termination of
                Mr.&#160;Allen's employment for Cause, the Company shall pay him any
                accrued but unpaid Base Payroll Salary through the date of termination
                and
                any other legally-required payments through that date.&#160;&#160;For the
                avoidance of doubt, no Base Deferred Salary and no Incentive Bonus
                shall
                be payable to him for the year in which his employment is terminated
                for
                Cause. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">8.5.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Definition
                of
                Cause</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">.</font>&#160;&#160;For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.5</font>,
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cause</font>" for
                termination of Mr.&#160;Allen's employment shall mean any one or more of
                the following: </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 84pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen&#8217;s
                  gross neglect of his duties, gross negligence in the performance
                  of his
                  duties, or his refusal to perform his duties.
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 84pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen&#8217;s
                  unsatisfactory performance of his duties that is not cured within
                  thirty
                  working days after written notice is given to him specifically
                  identifying
                  each reason why Mr.&#160;Allen&#8217;s performance is unsatisfactory and what he
                  can do to cure such unsatisfactory performance.
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 84pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Any
                  act of theft or other dishonesty by Mr.&#160;Allen, including, but not
                  limited to any intentional misapplication of the Company's or its
                  affiliates' funds or other property.
</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 84pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen&#8217;s
                  conviction of any criminal activity not described in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Subsection&#160;(c)</font>,
                  above, or participation in an activity involving moral turpitude
                  that is
                  or could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the business
                  or
                  reputation of the Company. </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 84pt">
                <div>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(e)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.&#160;Allen&#8217;s
                  immoderate use of alcohol and/or the use of non-prescribed narcotics
                  that
                  adversely and materially affects the performance of his duties.
                  </font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Termination
                by
                Mr.&#160;Allen</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Voluntary
                Resignation</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen may resign his employment
                with the Company on ninety days' prior written notice to the Company
                (the
                "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">90-Day Notice
                Period.</font>")&#160;&#160;Upon receipt of a notice of resignation, the
                Company &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
                accelerate the effective date of Mr.&#160;Allen's resignation to any date
                within the 90-Day Notice Period; and/or
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 43pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.1.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">May
                deem his notice of resignation a resignation by him of any one or
                more of
                the directorships and offices then held by him in the Company or
                its
                affiliates to be effective on any date or dates within the 90-Day
                Notice
                Period. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event Mr.&#160;Allen's resignation becomes effective before the end of
                a calendar year, a portion of any Base Deferred Salary that he would
                have
                earned had he remained an employee through the end of such calendar
                year
                shall be paid to him in the manner and at the time set forth in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>, such
                portion to be based on the number of days during such year that he
                was an
                employee, but no Incentive Bonus shall be payable to him for such
                year.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event that Mr.&#160;Allen's resignation becomes effective at or after
                the end of the calendar year in which he gave notice of his resignation,
                he shall be entitled to Base Deferred Salary and Incentive Bonus
                for the
                year in which he gave notice of his resignation to the same extent
                as if
                he had not given notice of his resignation.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          4 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">No
                Incentive Bonus shall be payable to Mr.&#160;Allen with respect to the
                calendar year following the calendar year in which he gives notice
                of his
                resignation. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Constructive
                Termination</font>.&#160;&#160;Mr.&#160;Allen may terminate his employment
                if (a) the Company commits a Breach (as defined below) of this Agreement;
                (b) Mr.&#160;Allen gives the Company detailed written notice of the Breach
                within thirty days after the occurrence thereof; and (c) the Company
                shall
                fail to cure the Breach within thirty days after the receipt of such
                notice or, if the nature of the Breach is such that it cannot practicably
                be cured in thirty days, if the Company shall fail to diligently
                and in
                good faith commence a cure of the Breach within such thirty-day period.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">In
                the event of the termination by Mr.&#160;Allen of his employment by reason
                of a Breach by the Company, the termination shall be deemed for purposes
                of this Agreement to be a termination by the Company Without Cause,
                and
                the Company shall be required to perform all of its obligations described
                in <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                8.1</font>, above. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">9.7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">For
                purposes of <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                9.5</font>,
                above, "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Breach</font>"
                shall mean a material breach by the Company of any one or more of
                the
                material terms or conditions of this Agreement.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Notices</font>.&#160;&#160;All
                notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing
                and
                shall be deemed given by a party when hand delivered to the other
                party
                against a receipt therefor or when deposited with a delivery service
                that
                provides next-business-day delivery and proof of delivery, in either
                case
                addressed to the other party as follows:
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="96%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">the Company
                at:</font></font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Sterling
                Construction Company, Inc.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">20810
                Fernbush Lane</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Houston,
                Texas 77073</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Attention</font>:&#160;&#160;Board
                of Directors</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">With
                a copy to:</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Roger
                M. Barzun</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">60
                Hubbard Street</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Concord,
                Massachusetts 01742</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="50%" style="PADDING-LEFT: 0pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">If
                to Mr.&#160;Allen,</font>
                at his most recent home address as shown in the Company's employment
                records.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">or
      to
      such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party
      to
      receive such notice.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">11.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Severability</font>.&#160;&#160;If
                any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is finally
                declared
                to be invalid by any tribunal of competent jurisdiction, such part
                shall
                be deemed automatically adjusted, if possible, to conform to the
                requirements for validity, but, if such adjustment is not possible,
                it
                shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement as though it had never
                been
                included herein.&#160;&#160;In either case, the balance of any such
                provision and of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
                effect.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no provision
                shall be deleted if it is clearly apparent under the circumstances
                that
                either or both of the parties would not have entered into this Agreement
                without such provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">12.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Survival</font>.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding
                the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement or of
                Mr.&#160;Allen's employment for any reason, the terms and conditions of
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;6</font>
                (Confidential Information) and <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section&#160;7</font>
                (Non-Compete Obligations) above, and any other obligation of a party
                that
                by its terms is to be performed or is to have continued effect after
                such
                termination shall survive such expiration or termination.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Proration</font>.&#160;&#160;Any
                amount payable to Mr.&#160;Allen hereunder for a period shorter than the
                period for which it is provided herein shall be pro-rated on a daily
                basis
                using a 365-day year. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2"><font size="3">&#160;</font>Page
          5 of 9</div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Miscellaneous</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Entire
                Agreement</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement together with <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>
                contains the entire understanding of the parties on the subject matter
                hereof; shall not be amended, except by written agreement of the
                parties
                signed by each of them; shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit
                of, the parties and their successors, personal representatives and
                permitted assigns; and shall not be assignable by either party without
                the
                prior written consent of the other party, except that the Company
                may
                assign this Agreement to any entity acquiring all of the stock, business
                or assets of the Company, provided that the acquiror assumes all
                of the
                Company 's obligations hereunder. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Construction</font>.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Each
                party has read and understood this Agreement and each party has had
                an
                opportunity to review this agreement with its or his counsel. Accordingly,
                each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced
                without
                the aid of any canon, custom or rule of law requiring or suggesting
                construction against the party drafting or causing the drafting of
                such
                provision. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                words "herein," "hereof," "hereunder," "hereby," "herewith" and words
                of
                similar import when used in this Agreement shall be construed to
                refer to
                this Agreement as a whole. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.2.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">An
                "affiliate" of the Company is any entity controlling, controlled
                by, or
                under common control with the Company.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Prior
                Agreements</font>.&#160;&#160;No representation, affirmation of fact,
                course of prior dealings, promise or condition in connection herewith
                or
                usage of the trade not expressly incorporated herein shall be binding
                on
                the parties. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Waiver</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant
                or
                condition contained herein shall not be deemed a waiver of such term,
                nor
                shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right at any one or more
                times
                be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right at any other time
                or
                times.&#160;&#160;No term or condition hereof shall be waived unless in
                writing by the party to be bound by such waiver;
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Captions</font>.&#160;&#160;The
                captions of the paragraphs herein are for convenience only and shall
                not
                be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">14.6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Counterparts
&amp;
                Execution</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement may be executed in multiple
                counterparts, each of which may be considered an original, but all
                of
                which together shall constitute but one and the same
                instrument.&#160;&#160;This Agreement when signed by a party may be
                delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission with the
                same
                force and effect as if the same were an executed and delivered original
                manually-signed counterpart. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">15.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Governing
                Law</font>.&#160;&#160;This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
                in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of Texas without
                giving
                effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
                (whether
                of the State of Texas or of any other jurisdiction) that would cause
                the
                application hereto of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
                State of
                Texas. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Compliance
                  with Section 409A of
                  the Code.</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">To
                the extent that any payment to Mr.&#160;Allen under this Agreement is
                deemed to be deferred compensation subject to the requirements of
                Section
                409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Code</font>") this
                Agreement
                shall be operated in compliance with the applicable requirements
                of
                Section 409A of the Code ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section 409A</font>") and
                its
                corresponding regulations and related guidance with respect to the
                payment
                in question.&#160;&#160;Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
                contrary, any payment under this Agreement that is subject to the
                requirements of Section 409A may only be made in a manner and upon
                an
                event permitted by Section 409A.&#160;&#160;To the extent that any
                provision of this Agreement would cause a conflict with the requirements
                of Section 409A, or would cause the administration of this Agreement
                to
                fail to satisfy the requirements of Section&#160;409A, such provision
                shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by applicable
                law,
                and the Company may modify this Agreement in such a manner as to
                comply
                with such requirements without Mr.&#160;Allen's consent.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          6 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font size="2">James
            H. Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                Mr.&#160;Allen is a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code
                (without regard to paragraph 5 thereof)) except to the extent permitted
                under Section 409A, no benefit or payment that is subject to Section
                409A
                (after taking into account all applicable exceptions to Section 409A,
                including but not limited to the exceptions for short-term deferrals
                and
                for separation pay only upon an involuntary separation from service)
                shall
                be made under this Agreement on account of Mr.&#160;Allen's separation
                from service (as defined in Section 409A) with the Company until
                the later
                of &#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                date prescribed for payment in this Agreement; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.2.2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                first day of the seventh calendar month that begins after the date
                of
                Mr.&#160;Allen's separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of his
                death.) </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">16.3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">All
                payments that were delayed by reason of the application of the date
                prescribed by <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                16.2.2</font>,
                above (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Section
                16.2.2 Date</font>") shall be aggregated and paid to Mr.&#160;Allen on the
                Section 16.2.2 Date in a lump sum together with interest computed
                from the
                date each such payment would have first been paid to him absent the
                application of the Section 16.2.2 Date until paid using the Non-LIBOR
                rate
                of interest the Company would have paid had it borrowed the amount
                of the
                payment under its revolving line of credit.&#160;&#160;After the Section
                16.2.2 Date, the Company shall pay any other amounts provided for
                herein
                to the extent and in the manner provided in this Agreement.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
      day
      and year first above written.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Sterling
              Construction Company, Inc.</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">&#160;</td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Patrick
                T. Manning</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">James
                H. Allen, Jr.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Chairman
                &amp; Chief Executive Officer</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          7 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font size="2">James
            H. Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">EXHIBIT
      A</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
                A</font>,
                "SCC" means the Company.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Title</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall be elected annually Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                Officer of the Company.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Duties
                and Responsibilities</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall carry out the customary duties and responsibilities of a chief
                financial and accounting officer of a publicly-traded
                company.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Reporting
                Relationship</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                carrying out those duties and responsibilities, Mr.&#160;Allen shall
                report to the Chief Executive Officer of SCC and the Audit Committee
                of
                the Board of Directors of SCC.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Payroll Salary</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                annualized Base Payroll Salary shall be $250,000, which shall be
                paid to
                him commencing as of July 16, 2007 in bi-weekly installments at the
                same
                time and in the same manner as other senior managers of the Company
                are
                paid their Base Payroll Salaries.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Base
                Deferred Salary</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                annualized Base Deferred Salary shall be $75,000 and shall be paid
                to him
                if in a given calendar year SCC achieves seventy-five percent of
                the
                EBITDA budgeted for such year provided that the budget was approved
                by the
                Board of Directors of SCC.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Incentive
                Bonus</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Each
                calendar year including calendar year 2007, Mr.&#160;Allen shall be
                eligible to earn an Incentive Bonus of up to $75,000.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Of
                that amount &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                </font>Sixty percent shall be paid to Mr.&#160;Allen if SCC achieves the
                fully-diluted earnings per share budgeted for such year provided
                that the
                budget was approved by the Board of Directors of SCC ("<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Budgeted EPS</font>");
                and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif">&#183;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                </font>Forty percent will be based upon the extent to which, if at
                all,
                Mr.&#160;Allen has achieved the personal goals and objectives established
                for him for such year, <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">provided however</font>, that
                for calendar year 2007, the forty percent&#160; </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">portion
                of the Incentive bonus shall be awarded, if at all, in the sole discretion
                of the Compensation Committee.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">The
                foregoing is in lieu of any "Additional Bonus" that might otherwise
                be
                payable under the Prior Agreement.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">In
                determining whether Budgeted EPS has been achieved in a given year,
                any
                shares of common stock of SCC issued during such year otherwise than
                out
                of a reserve therefor that had been established at or before the
                approval
                of the budget shall be ignored.</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen's
                personal goals and objectives for a given year shall be established
                in
                consultation with, shall be subject to final approval by, and the
                extent
                of their achievement shall be determined by the Chief Executive Officer
                of
                SCC and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of
                SCC.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          8 of
          9</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">James
            H.
            Allen, Jr. Employment Agreement &#8212; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">continued</font></font></div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EBITDA</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">For
                purposes of this Agreement, EBITDA means the net income of SCC on
                a
                consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted
                accounting principles for a given calendar year &#8212;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Interest
                expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Depreciation
                and amortization expense for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Federal
                and
                state income tax expense incurred for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Plus<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>Extraordinary
                Items (to the extent negative) if any, for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Extraordinary Items (to the extent positive) if any;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Interest income for the period;</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Minus&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
                Any fees paid to non-employee directors; and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt; TEXT-INDENT: -45pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">in
                calculating EBITDA for a given year, appropriate and equitable adjustment
                shall be made for any material changes in the Company&#8217;s business that
                occur during such year, such as an acquisition of a business or the
                sale
                of a part of the business.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Stock
                Incentive</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">A
                five-year stock option having a Black-Scholes valuation of $150,000,
                exercisable in three substantially equal installments on the first
                three
                anniversaries of the grant date.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%" style="BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Vacation</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Mr.&#160;Allen
                shall be eligible to take five weeks of paid vacation time per year
                in
                accordance with the Company 's vacation policy from time to time
                in
                effect.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;Page
      9 of 9</font>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.4
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>ex10_4.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.4
<TEXT>
<html>

  <head>
    <title>ex10_4.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: EDGARfilings-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.3.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved -->
</head>
    <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="4" width="100%">
    </div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="56%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">NOTICE
                OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION &amp;</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="31%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">STERLING
                CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="13%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">EXHIBIT
                10.4</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="56%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">STOCK
              OPTION AGREEMENT</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="31%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">TAXPAYER
                ID #:25-1655321</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="13%">
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="56%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="31%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">2751
                CENTERVILLE ROAD - SUITE 3131</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="13%">
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="56%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">WILMINGTON,
                DELAWARE 19803</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="13%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
              </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Optionee</font>:</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">James
                H.
                Allen</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic">Grant
                Date:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">August
                7,
                2007</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font>(Option
                No. <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">521</font>/Option
                Type: ISO)
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Option
                Shares:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">13,707</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Option
                Price Per
                Share:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">$18.990</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Option
                Expiration
                Date:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">August
                7,
                2012</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 0.4pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 126pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Option
                Plan:</font></font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">2001
                Stock Incentive
                Plan</font></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Effective
      on the Grant Date set forth above, Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (the
      "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Company</font>") has granted
      to you a stock option that to the extent permissible under applicable tax laws
      and regulations is intended to be an <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Incentive Stock Option</font> as
      defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
      any
      regulations thereunder (the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Code</font>") to purchase the
      number
      of Option Shares of the Company's common stock (par value $0.01 per share)
      set
      forth above at the Option Price Per Share set forth above, on the condition
      that
      you enter into this Option Agreement with the Company.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Option Shares become exercisable (vest) in installments from and after the
      vesting dates set forth below:</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div align="center">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="70%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Number
                of</font>&#160; <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Option
                Shares</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
              </div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Vesting
                Date</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">4,569</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">August
                7, 2008</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="white">
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">4,569</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">August
                7, 2009</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr bgcolor="#cceeff">
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">4,569</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="bottom" width="50%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">August
                7, 2010</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">You
      may
      purchase any one or more of the Option Shares that become exercisable on a
      given
      date from that date through and including the Option Expiration Date set forth
      above, unless this Option is sooner terminated or ceases to be exercisable
      as
      provided in this Agreement or in the Option Plan.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By
      signing this Option Agreement, you and the Company agree that this Option is
      governed by the terms and conditions set forth on this page and on the following
      Pages 2 and 3 of this Option Agreement as well as by the terms and conditions
      of
      the Option Plan, a copy of which has been furnished to you.&#160;&#160;An
      additional copy of the Option Plan will be furnished to you on request to the
      Company's Treasurer.</font></div>
    <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sterling
                Construction Company,
                Inc</font>.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Optionee</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">By:</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="41%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Patrick
                T. Manning</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">James
                H. Allen</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="41%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Chairman
                &amp; Chief Executive Officer</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="10%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="45%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div><br>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div><br>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">ADDITIONAL
      STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT TERMS</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">1.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Exercises</font>.&#160;&#160;For
                an exercise to be effective, the Company must receive from you:
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A
                written notice signed by you stating the Option Grant Date and the
                number
                of Option Shares you wish to purchase; and
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Payment
                for the Option Shares either (i) by personal, cashier's or certified
                check; or (ii) by the surrender of shares of the Company's Common
                Stock
                that you have held for at least six months and that have a fair market
                value (as defined in the Plan) on the date of exercise equal to the
                purchase price of the Option Shares being purchased, or a combination
                of
                both, all according to the rules and regulations relating to the
                Plan.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">2.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Issuance
                of Option
                Shares</font>. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">You
                will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect
                to any
                Option Shares purchased under this Option until a certificate representing
                such shares has been issued and delivered to you.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
                Company will not be obligated to deliver a certificate for any Option
                Shares unless&#160;&#8212; </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 58pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(i)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Provision
                acceptable to the Company has been made for the payment of any federal,
                state and local taxes that are due or that are required to be withheld
                by
                the Company because of the purchase of the Option Shares; and
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 58pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 27pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(ii)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">There
                has been compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations,
                in
                particular, the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange
                Act of
                1934 and the regulations promulgated under those acts, that the Company
                deems applicable, and all other legal matters in connection with
                the
                issuance and delivery of the Option Shares have been approved by
                the
                Company's counsel. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">3.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Non-Transferability</font>.&#160;&#160;During
                your lifetime, this Option may only be exercised by you or in the
                case of
                your disability, by your legal representative.&#160;&#160;In addition,
                this Option may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
                encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except (a)
                by your
                will or according to the laws of descent and distribution; or (b)
                to
                immediate family members (as defined in the Option Plan) to the extent
                permitted by applicable laws. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination
                of
                Employment</font>.&#160;&#160;For purposes of this <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Section
                4</font>, the
                word &#8220;Company&#8221; includes the Company&#8217;s subsidiaries, and the "<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Termination Date</font>" means
                the date that you cease to have an employment relationship with the
                Company. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(a)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                your employment terminates by reason of (i) your permanent disability
                as
                defined in any employment agreement between you and the Company,
                or if
                none is then in effect, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code;)
                or
                (ii) your death; or if you should die within three months after the
                Termination Date (unless termination was for Cause, as defined below),
                then this Option may nevertheless be exercised by you, by your legal
                representative, by your estate, or by your beneficiaries, as the
                case may
                be, but only to the extent it was exercisable on the Termination
                Date and
                only on or before the earlier to occur of (x) the first anniversary
                of the
                Termination Date and (y) the Option Expiration Date.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(b)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                your employment is terminated pursuant to a "cause" or "good reason"
                provision of any employment agreement between you and the Company
                and/or
                any of its subsidiaries, or absent such an agreement, for Cause (as
                defined below,) then this Option will terminate effective upon the
                Termination Date. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div>&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">If
                your employment terminates for any reason other than those set forth
                in
                <font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Sections
                4(a)</font> or&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">4(b)</font>,
                above,
                then this Option may nevertheless be exercised by you, but only to
                the
                extent it was exercisable on the Termination Date and only on or
                before
                the earlier to occur of (i) the expiration of ninety days after the
                Termination Date and (ii) the Option Expiration Date.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
          2 of
          3</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">"<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Cause</font>"
                shall mean
                willful misconduct by you or willful failure by you to perform your
                responsibilities to the Company (including but not limited to a breach
                of
                any material provision of any agreement between you and the Company)
                as
                determined by the Company acting in good faith, which determination
                shall
                be conclusive.&#160;&#160;Your employment shall be considered to have been
                terminated for Cause if the Company determines within thirty days
                after
                the Termination Date that discharge for Cause was warranted.
                </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">5.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Not
                an Employment
                Agreement</font>.&#160;&#160;Nothing in this Option Agreement shall in any
                way affect your right to resign from the Company's employ or the
                Company's
                right to terminate your employment.
</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">6.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Adjustments</font>.&#160;&#160;As
                more fully described in the Plan, the number and kind of shares issuable
                under this Option and the Option Price Per Share will be adjusted
                to
                account for any reorganization, merger, recapitalization, or the
                like that
                affects the Company's shares. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top">
            <td style="WIDTH: 18pt">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">7.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td>
              <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-STYLE: italic">Acceleration
                of
                Vesting</font>.&#160;&#160;This Option shall become immediately
                exercisable as to all then unvested shares thirty days prior to the
                effective date of a Change In Control of the Company as that term
                is
                defined in the Option Plan. </font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">___________________</font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Page
      3 of 3</font></div>
    <div>
      <div>
        <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="100%">
      </div>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
