EXHIBIT A

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

         In accordance with Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agrees to the joint filing with each
other of the attached statement on Schedule 13G and to all amendments to such
statement and that such statement and all amendments to such statement is made
on behalf of each of them.

Date: February 12, 2003

                                            PAL-BRO PARTNERS LLC

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
                                                Member-Manager


                                            HBH SPECIALISTS LLC

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:  Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
                                                Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                            BEAR HUNTER HOLDINGS LLC

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:   Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
                                                Title:  Managing Member


                                            BEAR XXXXXX SPECIALISTS LLC

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:   Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
                                                Title:  Chief Operations Officer

                                            ESTATE OF XXXXXX XXXXXX

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                               --------------------------------
                                                Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                                Personal Representative


                                  Page 15 of 17

                                            /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXX

                                            HYY SPECIALISTS LLC

                                            By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                               --------------------------------
                                                Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                                Authorized Representative


                                  Page 16 of 17