FIRST AMENDMENT This First Amendment to the Employment Agreement of Terry L. Persinger ("Amendment") is entered into by and between Terry L. Persinger ("Employee") and Mannatech, Incorporated ("Employer"), as of this the 1st day of January, 2002, and...

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT



     This First Amendment to the Employment Agreement of Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
("Amendment") is entered into by and between Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx ("Employee") and
Mannatech, Incorporated ("Employer"), as of this the 1st day of January, 2002,
and amends that certain Employment Agreement entered into by and between the
Employee and the Employer, effective November 1, 1999.

ARTICLE I.

     Paragraph 1, "Term" of the Agreement is hereby renewed until December 31,
2004.

     Paragraph 2, "Compensation" is amended to reflect an increase in salary of
$40,000 to $340,000 per annum commencing January 1, 2002.

ARTICLE V.

     Paragraph 13, "Notice" is changed to:

                  Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
                  0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
                  Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx  00000-0000

     In all other things except the foregoing Amendment, the Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect.

     Effective this 1st day of January, 2002.


                                                     MANNATECH, INCORPORATED



                                               By:
----------------------------                      ------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx                                  Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
                                               Its: Co-Chairman

First Amendment - Solo Page