AMERICOM USA INC
8-K, EX-10.1, 2000-08-31
BLANK CHECKS
Previous: AMERICOM USA INC, 8-K, 2000-08-31
Next: AMERICOM USA INC, 8-K, EX-10.2, 2000-08-31




                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                             STERLING NATIONAL BANK

                       GENERAL LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

      In consideration of financial accommodations  heretofore extended or to be
extended or continued to undersigned or to others at the request of, or upon the
guarantee of undersigned,  by STERLING  NATIONAL BANK ("Bank") and/or any of its
affiliates, undersigned hereby agrees as follows:

      1. As security for the full and prompt payment of any and all  Liabilities
(as hereinafter defined),  undersigned hereby sells, assigns, pledges, transfers
and sets over to Bank and  grants  Bank a  continuing  first and prior  security
interest in all Security (as  hereinafter  defined).  Said grant is made for the
benefit of Bank,  its  affiliates  and/or any others having a  participation  or
other interest in any of the  Liabilities,  in such proportions as Bank shall in
its sole discretion determine.

      2. The term "Liabilities" as used herein shall include all liabilities and
obligations of any kind of undersigned (or any  partnership,  limited  liability
partnership,  limited  liability  company,  or other  group or  entity  of which
undersigned  is a member) to (a) Bank,  (b) any  affiliates  of Bank and (c) any
other  person  if  Bank or its  affiliates  has a  participation,  intercreditor
agreement  or  other  interest  in such  liabilities  or  obligations  or in the
Security therefor,  and all whether for the account of Bank or its affiliates or
as agent for others,  whether  acquired  directly or  indirectly  by Bank or its
affiliates from undersigned or others, absolute or contingent, joint or several,
secured or unsecured, liquidated or unliquidated, due or not due, matured or not
matured,  contractual or tortious, now existing or hereafter arising or created,
and whether  incurred by undersigned as obligor,  principal,  surety,  endorser,
guarantor or otherwise, and including without limitation all costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, incurred by Bank or its affiliates in connection with
any such  liabilities or obligations or any Security  therefor and including all
costs and expenses of Bank or its  affiliates  in complying  with or opposing or
seeking to limit any restraining notices,  levies,  subpoenas, or information or
discovery  requests served upon Bank or its  affiliates,  all in accordance with
customary charges of Bank or its affiliates therefor, including, but not limited
to,  copying,  research  and staff  costs,  including  overtime  costs,  if any,
transportation, legal fees and expenses.

      3. The term  "Obligor" as used herein shall  include  undersigned  and, in
addition,  any  maker,  drawer,  acceptor,  endorser,  guarantor,  hypothecator,
surety,  accommodation party, or any other party directly or contingently liable
for any of the  Liabilities,  and the term "Bank" as used herein shall be deemed
to include Bank and its  affiliates,  whether or not so  designated,  unless the
context of such reference is expressly to the contrary.

      4. The term  "Security"  as used  herein  shall  include all now owned and
hereafter arising, created or acquired property and assets of undersigned of any
kind or nature,  wherever located,  and whether or not in the possession of Bank
or placed in any safe  deposit  box leased by Bank to  undersigned  or under the
control of or in transit to Bank or any of its  affiliates,  nominees

<PAGE>

or agents for any  purpose,  and whether or not  accepted  for the  purposes for
which  delivered  including,  without  limitation:  the balance of every deposit
account of  undersigned  with Bank or any of Bank's  nominees  or agents and all
other  obligations of Bank or any of its nominees or agents to undersigned;  and
all other personal property of undersigned,  including,  without limitation, all
securities,  Book Entry Securities (as hereinafter defined), notes, instruments,
documents,  chattel  paper,  choses in action,  leases,  repurchase  agreements,
money, accounts,  contract rights and all other general intangibles,  including,
without limitation,  all customer lists, credit files, supplier lists, catalogs,
formulations,  manufacturing  procedures,  quality control  procedures,  product
specifications,  sales  materials,  records  and  service  marks,  brand  names,
patents, patent rights, patent applications,  franchises,  copyrights, licenses,
permits,  processes,  trademarks,  trademarks  rights,  trade names,  trade name
rights,  trade  styles and trade  secrets,  together  with the  goodwill  of the
business  represented  thereby,  and all blueprints,  bids,  proposals,  claims,
rights, credits and adjustments and interest of undersigned in any goods thereby
represented;  and all claims for money due, including,  without limitation,  tax
refunds from any federal,  state or municipal government,  or agency thereof, or
any taxing authority; and all goods, including, without limitation, all consumer
goods,  machinery and  equipment,  furniture,  furnishings  and  fixtures,  farm
products and inventory (including,  without limitations,  all goods intended for
sale or lease, or to be furnished  under  contracts of service,  work in process
and raw materials, and all materials and supplies of every nature used or usable
in  connection  with  packing,  shipping,   advertising,   selling,  leasing  or
furnishing  of such goods),  all  substitutions,  accretions,  component  parts,
replacement parts,  replacements  thereof and additions thereto,  as well as all
accessories,  motors,  engines,  auxiliary  parts  used  in  connection  with or
attached  thereto and any packing material in which such goods may be contained;
and all renewals and  substitutions  for, all accessions to, all accessories on,
all  replacements  for,  all  additions  to,  all  income,  dividends  and other
distributions from or on, all rights,  privileges,  options, and profits from or
on or relating to or declared or granted in  connection  with,  and all proceeds
and products of all of the foregoing in any form whatsoever,  including, without
limitation,  all payments and proceeds of insurance  thereon,  and all books and
records, including, without limitation, computer programs and data files, discs,
diskettes,  drives,  print-outs  and other  computer  materials  and  records of
Obligor  pertaining to all of the  foregoing.  Bank does not assume nor shall it
become liable for the  performance of any obligation or duty with respect to any
Security.

      5. The right is granted to Bank in its  discretion,  to file this  General
Loan and Security  Agreement  or a carbon,  photographic  or other  reproduction
thereof  and/or  one or  more  financing  statements,  (with,  or to the  extent
permitted  by law,  without  the  signature  of  undersigned)  under the Uniform
Commercial  Code  naming  undersigned  as debtor and Bank as  secured  party and
indicating  therein  the  types  or  describing  the  items of  Security  herein
specified.  Undersigned will execute, file and record any notices, affidavits or
other documents and take all such other actions as Bank may deem  appropriate to
protect or  perfect  its  security  interest  in the  Security  or to  otherwise
accomplish the purposes of this agreement.  Undersigned  hereby agrees to pay on
demand,  and/or  authorizes Bank to charge its account with the cost of, any and
all filing,  recording and other fees and expenses which Bank deems  appropriate
in order to protect or perfect  its  security  interest  in the  Security  or to
otherwise   accomplish  the  purposes  of  this  agreement,   including  without
limitation the cost of all reports and searches of public records as Bank in its
sole  discretion  shall require.  Undersigned  will promptly  notify Bank of the
imposition at any time of any lien or encumbrance upon any of the Security.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Notwithstanding the foregoing,  undersigned  represents,  warrants and covenants
that all of the Security now existing or hereafter created,  arising or acquired
is and will be owned by  undersigned  free and clear of all  security  interest,
liens and encumbrances of any kind, except for the liens and security  interests
herein  granted to Bank.  Undersigned  shall promptly pay when due all taxes and
transportation,  storage and warehousing charges affecting or arising out of the
Security. Undersigned will defend the Security against all claims and demands of
all persons at any time  claiming  the same or any interest  therein  adverse to
Bank.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank shall have no obligation to comply
with any recording, re-recording, filing, re-filing, or other legal requirements
necessary to establish or maintain the validity, priority or enforceability of,
or Bank's right in or to, the Security or any part thereof.

      6. The right is granted to Bank, in its  discretion,  at any time,  (a) to
transfer to or register in its name or any of its nominees any of the  Security,
and  whether  or not so  transferred  or  registered,  to  receive  the  income,
interest,   dividends  and  profits  thereon,   including  stock  dividends  and
subscription rights, and to hold the same as a part of the Security and/or apply
the same as  hereinafter  provided;  (b) to notify any third  party  (including,
without  limitation,  any  account  debtor,  insurance  company or bailee) as to
Bank's security interest in the Security; (c) to direct any such third party (or
to require  undersigned)  to make any  payment on or with  respect to any of the
Security  to Bank  (regardless  of whether an Event of Default  (as  hereinafter
defined) has  occurred);  (d) to exchange any of the Security for other property
upon  any  reorganization,   recapitalization,  or  other  readjustment  and  in
connection  therewith  to deposit  any of the  Security  with any  committee  or
depository  upon such  terms as Bank may  determine;  (e) in any  bankruptcy  or
similar  proceeding to file a proof of claim for the full amount of the Security
and to vote such claim for or against  any  arrangement  or with  respect to any
other  matter;  (f) in its own name or in the name of  undersigned  or any other
appropriate person. to demand, sue for, collect or receive any money or property
at any time payable or  receivable on account of or in exchange for, or make any
compromise  or  settlement  it may deem  desirable  with  respect to, any of the
Security;   (g)  to  extend  the  time  of  payment,   arrange  for  payment  in
installments, or otherwise modify the terms of, or release, any of the Security;
(h)  to  contest,  pay  and/or  discharge  all  liens,  encumbrances,  taxes  or
assessments on, or claims,  actions or demands against,  any of the Security and
to  take  all  actions  and  proceedings  in its  own  name  or in the  name  of
undersigned or any other  appropriate  person in order to remove or contest such
liens,  encumbrances,  taxes,  assessments,  claims,  actions or demands;  or to
refrain from doing any of the foregoing,  all without  affecting the Liabilities
and  the  Security  and  without  notice  or  liability  to or  the  consent  of
undersigned   except  to  account  for  property   actually  received  by  Bank.
Undersigned  hereby  irrevocably  appoints  Bank  its   attorney-in-fact,   with
authority to receive,  open and dispose of all mail addressed to undersigned and
to notify the Post Office or other  private  carrier  authorities  to change the
address for delivery of mail  addressed to  undersigned  to such address as Bank
may designate;  to endorse the name of undersigned on any  instruments  that may
come into Bank's  possession;  to sign the name of undersigned on any notices to
account  debtors of undersigned and requests for  verification  of accounts;  to
sign  the  name  of  undersigned  on any  assignment  or  other  instruments  of
conveyance  or  transfer  of any of the  Security;  and to take all  such  other
actions as Bank may deem appropriate to carry out and enforce this agreement and
to exercise Bank's rights  hereunder.  Bank shall have no duty to collect income
or  principal,  or to send notices,  perform  services or take any action of any
kind  respecting the management of


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

any  Security.  Bank shall not be obligated  to exercise any  authority or right
granted to it hereunder  and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted
or the manner of taking any action, except for its willful misconduct, and in no
event for consequential damages.

      7. Undersigned  will pay to Bank all costs and expenses  incurred and sums
paid by Bank (including without limitation  attorneys' fees,  insurance premiums
and sales  commissions)  in connection  with the exercise of any right or remedy
given Bank under this  agreement.  All such  amounts  shall be  included  in the
definition of Liabilities  (and therefore  secured by the Security) and shall be
payable on demand.

      8. At any time and from time to time,  upon  demand  by Bank,  undersigned
will  (a)  deliver  to Bank,  endorsed  and/or  accompanied  by  instruments  of
assignment  and  transfer,  in such form and  containing  such terms as Bank may
request,  any and all instruments,  documents and/or chattel paper  constituting
part of the Security,  as Bank may specify in its demand;  (b) mark all Security
and all books and records  relating  thereto in such manner as Bank may require;
and (c) permit  representatives  of Bank at any time to inspect the Security and
to inspect,  copy and make abstracts from any of undersigned's books and records
and to answer  promptly all of the Bank's written or oral inquiries with respect
thereto.  If  undersigned,  as registered  holder of any of the Security,  shall
receive any stock certificate, option or right, whether as an addition to, or in
substitution or exchange for, any Security, or otherwise,  undersigned agrees to
accept the same as Bank's  agent and to hold the same in trust for Bank,  and to
forthwith   deliver  the  same  to  Bank  in  the  exact  form  received,   with
undersigned's  endorsement  thereof if requested by Bank,  to be held by Bank as
part of the Security.  Undersigned  assigns to Bank all of  undersigned's  right
(but none of its  obligations)  in, to and  under  all  collateral,  guarantees,
subordinations  and other  rights and  benefits  now or  hereafter  received  by
undersigned  with respect to the  Security  and agrees to deliver to Bank,  upon
demand, all agreements,  instruments and/or documents  evidencing same, endorsed
and/or  accompanied by instruments of assignment and transfer,  in such form and
containing such terms as Bank may request.

      9.  Upon  demand  from Bank at any time  that any of the  Liabilities  are
outstanding or there is any agreement  between Bank and undersigned  under which
Liabilities  may be incurred,  undersigned  will assign and transfer to Bank and
grant  to Bank a  security  interest  in  additional  Security  of a  value  and
character  satisfactory  to  Bank  or  make  such  payment  on  account  of  the
Liabilities as Bank may require.

      10. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as  hereinafter  defined),
(a)  any  or  all  of  the  Liabilities   shall,  at  the  option  of  Bank  and
notwithstanding  any time or credit  allowed by any  instrument  evidencing  the
Liabilities,   be  immediately  due  and  payable  without  notice,   demand  or
presentment;  (b) Bank may, in its  discretion,  take possession of the Security
and, for that  purpose,  may enter,  with the  assistance  of any  persons,  any
premises  where the  Security or any part  thereof  may be  located,  and retain
possession  of the  Security at such  premises  (and take such steps as it deems
appropriate  to restrict  access to such  premises or  otherwise  safeguard  the
Security) or remove the same therefrom; (c) undersigned shall, at the request of
Bank,  assemble the Security at such places as Bank may  designate and cooperate
in all other  respects  with Bank in the exercise of its rights  hereunder;  (d)
Bank may vote any shares of stock or other  securities  and  exercise all or any
powers with respect  thereto with the same force and effect as an absolute owner
thereof;  (e) Bank may sell any of the  Security or cause the same to be sold in
the Borough


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

of Manhattan,  New York City, or elsewhere,  in one or more sales or parcels, at
such price and on such terms as Bank may deem advisable,  for cash or on credit,
for immediate or future delivery,  without assumption of any credit risk, at any
public or private sales or other  dispositions,  without  demand of  performance
(which  demand  is  hereby  expressly  waived),  on at  least 5 days  notice  to
undersigned  (if any notice is  required  by law) of any public sale or the time
after  which a  private  sale or other  disposition  may be made  (which  notice
undersigned  acknowledges is reasonable),  and in connection therewith may grant
options and may impose reasonable  conditions thereon, and the purchasers of any
of the Security so sold shall thereafter hold the same absolutely, free from any
claim or right of any kind,  including any equity of  redemption of  undersigned
(any such equity being hereby expressly waived and released), and Bank or any of
its  nominees  or agents  may buy the  Security  at any  public  sale and if the
Security is of a type sold in a recognized  market, or is of a type which is the
subject of widely  distributed  standard price  quotations,  buy the Security at
private  sale;  and (f) in  addition  to and  notwithstanding  any other  rights
granted  by law or  herein  (or any  limitations  contained  herein  on any such
rights), Bank shall have the rights and remedies with respect to the Security of
a secured  party  under the  Uniform  Commercial  Code of the State of New York.
Undersigned  agrees  that any  action  taken  by Bank in  accordance  with  this
paragraph shall be deemed to be commercially reasonable.

      11. As used in this agreement, the term "Event of Default" shall mean: (a)
nonpayment  when  due of any of the  Liabilities  or  failure  on the part of an
Obligor  (as  hereinbefore  defined)  to  observe or perform  any  agreement  or
obligation to be observed or performed hereunder or under any other agreement or
instrument  relating to the  Liabilities or to any other liability or obligation
of an  Obligor  to Bank or its  affiliates;  (b)  making  by an  Obligor  of any
misrepresentation to Bank or its affiliates or failure on the part of an Obligor
to disclose to Bank or its  affiliates  any  material  fact in  connection  with
obtaining credit or an extension of credit, either contemporaneously herewith or
at any time prior or  subsequent  to the  execution  hereof;  (c)  failure of an
Obligor  to furnish  financial  information  forthwith  on demand by Bank or its
affiliates or to permit the  inspection of any books or records;  (d) failure of
an Obligor to pay,  withhold,  collect  or remit when  assessed  or due any tax,
assessment  or other sum payable with respect to any of the Security  (including
without  limitation any premium on any insurance  policy assigned to Bank or its
affiliates as part of the Security), or the making of any tax assessment against
any Obligor by the United States or any state or local governments; (e) entry of
judgment against, or issuance of any writ or order of attachment, injunction, or
garnishment,  or the  existence of any other lien against or with respect to any
property of an Obligor; (f) death of an Obligor, if an individual, or any member
of an Obligor, if a partnership or joint venture;  (g) dissolution,  liquidation
or other  termination  of  existence,  or  adoption  of any  resolution  for the
dissolution,  liquidation or other termination of existence,  of an Obligor; (h)
suspension of the usual business of an Obligor or the condemnation or seizure of
a substantial  part of an Obligor's  property by any  governmental  authority or
court at the instance  thereof;  (i) failure of an Obligor to generally  pay its
debts as they become due or insolvency or business failure of an Obligor, filing
of an application  for or appointment  of a trustee,  custodian,  conservator or
receiver for an Obligor or of any part of an Obligor's property,  assignment for
the benefit of creditors by an Obligor, filing of a petition in bankruptcy by or
against an Obligor,  or  commencement by or against an Obligor of any proceeding
under any  bankruptcy or insolvency  law or any other law relating to the relief
of  debtors,   readjustment  of  indebtedness,   reorganization,   receivership,
composition or extension; (j) failure to comply with the provisions of any lease
covering  premises  where any of the Security is located or of any statue,  law,
ordinance or rule applicable


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

to the conduct of an  Obligor's  business;  (k) making or sending  notice of any
intended bulk transfer by an Obligor;  (l) failure on the part of undersigned or
any of the Security to comply with  Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board or
any comparable  provision of law hereinafter  enacted;  (m) such a change in the
condition or affairs (financial or otherwise) of an Obligor as in the opinion of
Bank or its affiliates impairs the Security or increases the risk of Bank or its
affiliates  with respect to the  Liabilities or if Bank or its  affiliates  deem
themselves insecure;  (n) default with respect to any indebtedness of an Obligor
to any other  individual or entity if such default would enable said  individual
or entity to accelerate the maturity of such indebtedness; (o) any Obligor shall
seek to rescind or revoke its  guarantee or otherwise to terminate its liability
for  future  Liabilities;  (p) if at any time the market  value of any  security
should decline to such an extent as in the sole and unrestricted opinion of Bank
or its affiliates,  may make the equity insufficient collateral security for the
payment of the  Liabilities;  or (q) if at any time the  collateral or any other
security held by Bank or its affiliates  shall,  in their sole and  unrestricted
judgment, be unsatisfactory.

      12. Notwithstanding any possession of the Security by Bank, whether on its
own  behalf or on behalf of  others,  undersigned  shall  remain  liable for the
payments  in full of the  Liabilities.  Undersigned  assumes all  liability  and
responsibility  for the Security,  and the  obligation of undersigned to pay the
Liabilities shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the fact that
any of the Security  may be lost,  destroyed,  stolen,  damaged or for any other
reason  whatsoever be or become  unavailable to undersigned or that the value of
the Security shall be  diminished.  In the event of any partial or complete loss
or destruction of any of the Security by any means,  undersigned  shall,  at its
own expense,  cause such repairs to be made as Bank may deem appropriate for its
protection  or, at the option of Bank,  replace the  Security  with new Security
having a value  equal to the value of the lost or  destroyed  Security  prior to
such loss or destruction.  Undersigned  agrees, at its own expense,  to keep all
insurable  Security  insured against loss or damage by fire,  theft or any other
risk to which the Security may be subject  (including  without  limitation  such
hazards  as Bank may  specify),  for the full  insurable  value  thereof,  under
policies and with insurers  acceptable to Bank,  which polices shall provide for
all losses to be payable to Bank as an additional  named insured and provide for
at least 30 days prior notice to Bank of any intended  nonrenewal,  cancellation
or  modification  of the  policy.  Undersigned  will  deliver to Bank on request
policies  or  certificates  of such  insurance  with  evidence of payment of the
premium  thereon.  If  undersigned  fails to maintain said  insurance,  then, in
addition to any other right or remedy that Bank may have and without waiving the
consequences  of such  default,  Bank may but need not obtain and maintain  said
insurance, at the expense of undersigned,  which expense shall be deemed part of
the  Liabilities  and shall be payable to Bank on  demand.  Bank is  irrevocably
authorized  to file  claims and shall  have the sole  right to retain  insurance
claims adjustors, adjust, settle and collect claims under said insurance by such
means, at such times,  on such terms and in the name of Bank or undersigned,  as
Bank  may see fit,  and in the name and on  behalf  of  undersigned  to  execute
releases and endorse  checks or drafts  payable in respect of any such insurance
claims.  All sums received by Bank from any such  insurance  may, in Bank's sole
discretion,  be held  as part of the  Security  and/or  applied  as  hereinafter
provided.

      13. Bank, at any time, at its option, may apply all or any part of any net
cash  receipts,  after  deducting  all costs and expenses of every kind incurred
therein or  incidental to the retaking.  holding,  preparing for sale,  selling,
leasing,  or the like of the  Security  or in any way  relating to


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

the rights of Bank  thereunder,  including  attorneys'  fees and legal expenses,
from the Security  (whether received on a sale of the Security or, on collection
as proceeds of insurance in accordance with this agreement, or otherwise) to the
payment,  in whole or in part. of principal of and/or  interest on any or all of
the Liabilities, whether or not then due, allocating the same as it shall elect,
making  rebate of interest  or discount to the extent  required by law and so as
not to make the rate of interest  charged  unlawful with respect to undersigned.
If any Liabilities  shall be contingent,  Bank may retain a sufficient amount of
the net cash receipts from the Security to cover the largest aggregate sum which
may become due or owing thereunder with prospective  interest,  costs,  expenses
and attorneys'  fees and shall not be chargeable  with any interest with respect
thereto.

      14.  Until the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  or  notice  from Bank
terminating  or limiting the right of  undersigned to do so (which notice may be
sent by Bank at any time in its sole discretion,  and whether or not an Event of
Default  has  occurred  or is  threatened),  or,  in  the  case  of  collection,
compromise,  or adjustment of accounts  receivable,  until Bank takes any action
pursuant to this agreement, undersigned may sell or lease in the ordinary course
of its regular  business  inventory  constituting a part of the Security and may
collect,  compromise and adjust accounts  receivable  constituting a part of the
Security,  all on such terms as undersigned  may in good faith deem advisable in
the  ordinary  course  of its  regular  business,  and may  retain  all  sums so
collected.  Except as permitted  by this  paragraph,  undersigned  may not sell,
lease,  assign or  otherwise  dispose of any of the  Security  without the prior
written  consent  of Bank.  In  addition,  undersigned  may not sell,  assign or
otherwise  dispose  of any  shares  of stock or other  securities  now  owned or
hereafter acquired by undersigned which are issued by the same issuer and are of
the same class as any shares of stock or other securities constituting a part of
the Security.  Undersigned  shall keep all of the Security  which is not held at
Bank or at some other place designated by Bank, at undersigned's premises listed
below and shall not remove any of the Security  therefrom  without  Bank's prior
written consent.

      15. If in its sole discretion Bank deems it desirable, Bank may remove any
Security held by Bank from the place where such Security may now or hereafter be
located to any other place and deal with such Security there as herein provided.

      16.  Upon  the  occurrence  of an  Event  of  Default,  and  at  any  time
thereafter, Bank shall have and may exercise, without further notice, a right of
set-off and/or  banker's lien against and in respect of any of the Security then
or  thereafter  held by Bank.  Any right of  set-off  exercise  by Bank shall be
deemed to have  been  exercised  immediately  on the  occurrence  of an Event of
Default,  even  though  such  set-off  is made or  entered  on the books of Bank
subsequent thereto.

      17. Bank shall not be deemed to have  modified or waived any of its rights
hereunder or any terms or conditions hereof unless such modification or waver is
in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer of Bank. No such modification
or waiver,  unless so  expressly  stated  herein,  shall be  effective as to any
transaction  which occurs  subsequent to the date of such modification or waiver
nor shall it  constitute  a  continuing  modification  or  waiver.  No course of
dealing  between  undersigned and Bank shall be effective to change or modify or
to  discharge in whole or part this  agreement.  No delay on the part of Bank in
exercising any power or right hereunder  shall operate as a waiver thereof;  nor
shall any single or partial  exercise of any power or right  hereunder  preclude
any other or further  exercise  thereof of the  exercise  of any other


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

power or right.  All rights and remedies of Bank with respect to the Liabilities
or Security,  whether  evidence hereby or by any other  instrument,  document or
otherwise, shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently.

      18. Bank may assign  and/or  transfer to any assignee or transferee of any
Liabilities, any or all of the Security and Bank's rights hereunder with respect
thereto,  and thereafter Bank shall be fully discharged from all  responsibility
with respect to the Security so assigned  and/or  transferred.  Such assignee or
transferee  shall be vested  with all powers and rights of Bank  hereunder  with
respect to such  Security,  but Bank shall  retain all rights and powers  hereby
given with  respect  to any of the  Security  not so  assigned  or  transferred.
Undersigned  will not assert  against any assignee or  transferee  of any of the
Liabilities any claims or defenses it may have against Bank. Bank may pledge any
of the Security  hereunder (either alone or with others) to the United States or
to the  Federal  Reserve  Bank of New York,  in its own right or as agent of the
United States,  or to others, to secure deposits or other obligations of Bank of
any amounts whatever.

      19. Undersigned hereby waives presentment,  notice of dishonor and protest
with respect to all instruments included in or evidencing the Liabilities or the
Security and, except as specified herein,  any and all other notices and demands
whatsoever, whether or not relating to such instruments.

      20. Undersigned will indemnify and save Bank harmless from and against all
loss, damage,  claims and actions,  whether groundless or otherwise,  arising in
connection with this agreement,  the Liabilities or the Security,  and all costs
and expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees) incurred by Bank in respect thereof.
Undersigned  agree that,  whenever an attorney is used to enforce this agreement
or to enforce,  declare,  collect or adjudicate any rights or obligations  under
this agreement or with respect to the  Liabilities or the Security or collateral
security, whether by suit or by any other means whatsoever, an attorney's fee of
15% of the  principal and interest  then due  thereunder  or hereunder  shall be
payable by such of undersigned  against whom this agreement or any obligation or
right hereunder is sought to be enforced, declared or adjudicated.

      21. If any term,  condition or  provision  of this  agreement or any other
agreement or document executed in connection  herewith or in connection with any
of the  Liabilities  or Security is determined  to be invalid or  unenforceable,
such determination  shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
term, condition or provision.

      22. Any demand upon or notice to  undersigned  that Bank may elect to give
shall be effective if deposited in the mails addressed to or otherwise delivered
to  undersigned  at the address set forth below or if  undersigned  has notified
Bank in writing by registered  mail of a change of address,  at the last address
of which Bank has  received  notice.  Demands or notices  addressed or otherwise
delivered to the address at which Bank customarily communicates with undersigned
shall also be effective.  Any notice to Bank shall be deemed  effective  only if
sent to and received at the branch,  division or department  of Bank  conducting
the transaction or transactions hereunder.

      23. If any of the  Security  is or is to be attached  to or  installed  or
located  on real  estate,  undersigned  will  upon  demand  furnish  Bank with a
subordination  or  disclaimer  signed by all


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

persons having an interest in said real estate of any interest equal to or prior
to Bank's interest in the Security.

      24. From and after maturity  (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of any
of the  Liabilities,  any unpaid  balance  remaining  shall bear interest at the
higher of 12% per annum or 3% in excess of the rate  specified in the instrument
evidencing the Liability until payment is actually made (regardless of whether a
judgment is obtained prior to such  payment).  Anything in this agreement or any
other agreement,  instrument or document to the contrary notwithstanding,  in no
event shall interest on any Liability  exceed the maximum rate  permitted  under
any applicable law or regulation,  and if any provision of this agreement or any
other  agreement,  instrument or document is in contravention of any such law or
regulation,  such  provision  shall be deemed amended to provide for interest at
said maximum rate.

      25.  Undersigned,  if more than one. shall be jointly and severally liable
hereunder and all provisions  hereof regarding the Liabilities or Security shall
apply to any  Liability  or any Security of any or all of them.  This  agreement
shall be  binding  upon the heirs,  executors,  administrators,  successors  and
assigns of undersigned and shall inure to the benefit of Bank and its successors
and assigns.  All rights,  powers and authority of Bank under this  agreement or
otherwise permitted by law shall be exercisable by any affiliate of Bank whether
or not  such  affiliate  may be an  obligee  of any of the  Liabilities.  If all
Liabilities  shall at any time be paid in full, this agreement shall nonetheless
remain in full  force and effect  with  respect  to any  Liabilities  thereafter
incurred. If undersigned is a corporation,  this agreement shall be binding upon
any  other   corporation  into  or  with  which  undersigned  shall  be  merged,
consolidated.  reorganized or absorbed,  or which shall  acquired  undersigned's
business  or  all  or  substantially  all of its  assets.  If  undersigned  is a
partnership,  the members  thereof shall also be  individually  bound and liable
hereunder and this agreement shall continue in force  notwithstanding any change
in or  termination  of such  partnership,  whether  such change  occurs  through
voluntary  withdrawal,  death,  retirement  or  otherwise.  Except as  otherwise
provided in this  agreement,  all terms used in this agreement which are defined
in the Uniform  Commercial Code of the State of New York shall have the meanings
therein  stated.  Undersigned  hereby  expressly  consent  to and ratify all the
terms,  provisions  and  conditions of any note or  instrument  now or hereafter
executed,  delivered  or taken in  connection  with any of the  Liabilities  and
further waive any further notice of the creation, maturity and nonpayment of any
such note or instrument or of any of the Liabilities  evidenced thereby. If this
agreement  shall differ in terms with. any ctner  agreement or obligation or the
terms of any of the  Liabilities,  that which gives Bank the greater right shall
prevail.

      26.  If  any  of  the  Security  is  applied  on  account  of  any  of the
Liabilities,  neither  undersigned  nor any other  party shall have any right of
subrogation  to Bank's right in any other  Security held by Bank with respect to
the Liabilities or any right of contribution from Bank by reason thereof.

      27. Bank is authorized to correct  patent errors  herein.  This  agreement
shall take effect  immediately upon execution by undersigned,  and the execution
hereof by Bank shall not be required as a condition to the effectiveness of this
agreement or otherwise.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

      28.  "Book  Entry  Securities"  shall be  deemed  to  include  any and all
book-entry  U.S.  Treasury   securities  and  other  book-entry   securities  of
undersigned  and  maintained  in an account at or for the  benefit of Bank,  and
whether  maintained  with the Federal  Reserve System or otherwise.  Undersigned
authorizes  Bank  to  serve  as  its  bailee  and  agent  with  respect  to  the
aforementioned  Book Entry Securities and to take such action and to execute and
deliver  such  documents  on behalf of  undersigned  as Bank deems  necessary or
desirable in order to perfect  Bank's  security  interest  therein.  Undersigned
hereby gives notice to Bank, in Bank's  capacity as bailee and agent,  of Bank's
security interest in the aforementioned Book Entry Securities.

      29. In any litigation or legal proceeding  arising out of, or relating to,
this  agreement or any of the  Liabilities  or the  Security,  in which Bank and
undersigned shall be adverse parties,  undersigned waives the right to interpose
any defense  (including  without limitation any statue of limitations and/or any
claim of  laches),  set-off or  counterclaim  of any kind not  directly  arising
herefrom or therefrom,  as the case may be, and also waives the right to a trail
by jury.  In the  event  that  Bank  brings  any  action or suit in any court to
enforce any or all of the  Liabilities  or any of Bank's  rights  hereunder  and
irrespective   of  whether   undersigned   now  or  hereafter  are  resident  or
non-resident of the State of New York, undersigned hereby waive personal service
of any and all  process and consent  that all such  service of process  shall be
made by certified or registered  mail,  return  receipt  requested,  directed to
undersigned at the Chief Executive Office address of undersigned set forth below
or to the last known address of  undersigned  in the records of Bank and service
so made  shall be  complete  ten (10)  days  after  the same has been  posted as
aforesaid. Undersigned hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New
York State or Federal  Court  located in New York City over any action,  suit or
proceeding arising out of any dispute between undersigned and Bank.

      30.  This  agreement  shall  be  interpreted,   and  all  the  rights  and
obligations  arising  hereunder  or from any document  relating  hereto shall be
determined, in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

      Undersigned  represents  and  warrants  to Bank that (a) the  location  of
undersigned's  chief executive  office is as set forth below,  (b) except as set
forth below,  all of the Security is located either at Bank or at  undersigned's
chief  executive  office,  and/or (c) at additional or other  premises set forth
below all of which are owned or leased by undersigned.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

Chief Executive Office (for corporation    Other Premises where Security is
or partnership)                            located
Principal Residence (for individuals)      (street address, city, county,
(street address, city, county, state,      state, zip code)
zip code):

5900 Hollis Street, Suite R-1              825 Buckley Road
Emeryville, Alameda County                 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo
California  94608                          County
                                           California  93401

New York, New York

August 3, 2000

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, undersigned have signed, sealed and delivered this
instrument as of the date hereinbefore set forth.

(individuals sign below)            (Corporations or Partnerships sign below)
                                     (SEAL)

x /s/  Thomas J. Hopfensperger ###-##-####     AMERICOM USA, INC. 52-2068322
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
                 SSN                           (Name of Corporation or
                                                     Partnership) TIN

                                               By:
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
x
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
                  SSN
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
      Address                                  Address

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

STATE OF NEW YORK )  SS.:
COUNTY OF         )

On the            day of                  ,     ,      before      me     came
___________________________,  to me  known to be the  individual(s)  described
in, and who executed  the  foregoing  instrument,  and  acknowledged  that _he
executed the same.


                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public, State of



                                      -11-
<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK )  SS.:
COUNTY OF         )

On the day of , , before me came ___________________________, to me known to be
a partner of ________________________________, the partnership mentioned and
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and the said partner
duly acknowledges to me that _he executed said instrument for and on behalf of
and with the authority of the said partnership for the uses and purposes therein
mentioned.


                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public, State of



STATE OF NEW YORK )  ss.:
COUNTY OF         )

On the day of , , before me came ___________________________, to me known, who,
being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that _he resides at
___________________________________________ in _____________________ that _he is
the _____________________ of ________________________________________________
the corporation described in, and which executed the foregoing instrument of
guaranty; that _he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to
said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that _he signed h__ name thereto by
like order.


                                    -----------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public, State of




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission