EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.3

Execution Copy

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of July 18, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”), and XXXXXX X. XXXXX (the “Executive”).

Recitals

A. The Company desires to engage the Executive to perform services under the terms hereof and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company.

B. The Company desires to be assured that the unique and expert services of the Executive will be substantially available to the Company, and that the Executive is willing and able to render such services on the terms hereinafter set forth.

C. The Company desires to be assured that the confidential information and goodwill of the Company will be preserved for the exclusive benefit of the Company.

Terms

In consideration of such employment and the respective agreements of the parties set forth below, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions

(a) “Annual Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(b) “Board” shall mean the Board of Managers of Parent.

(d) The Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder upon: (i) the Executive’s breach of Section 2(c) (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s Disability), which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt by the Executive of written notice from the Company specifying such failure in reasonable detail; (ii) the Executive’s failure or refusal to follow the reasonable instructions of the Board or the board of directors of any Subsidiary of the Company, which failure or refusal is not cured within 30 days following written notice; (iii) the Executive’s conviction of a felony or of a misdemeanor if such misdemeanor involves moral turpitude or misrepresentation, including a plea of guilty or nolo contendere; (iv) the Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ premises; (v) the Executive’s commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, material misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty or other act of dishonesty detrimental to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vi) the Executive’s intentional wrongful act or gross negligence that has a material detrimental effect on the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(e) “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(f) “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to his Disability, the date determined pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii); (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(a)(iii)-(vi) either the date indicated in the Notice of Termination or the date specified by the Company pursuant to Section 4(b), whichever is earlier; or (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(a)(vii) the date on which the Term expires.

(g) “Disability” shall mean (x) any physical or mental illness, injury or infirmity which prevents the Executive from performing the Executive’s job functions for a period of (i) one hundred twenty consecutive calendar days or (ii) an aggregate of one hundred eighty calendar days out of any consecutive twelve month period and (y) a disability upon which Executive would be deemed disabled under the definitions contained in the long-term disability insurance policy(s) maintained by the Company for the benefit of Executive pursuant to Section 3(c) of this Agreement. Any determination of disability shall be made by the Board in consultation with a qualified physician or physicians selected by the Board and reasonably acceptable to the Executive. The failure of the Executive to submit to a reasonable examination by such physician or physicians shall act as an estoppel to any objection by the Executive to the determination of disability by the Board.

(h) “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(i) “Executive” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(j) The Executive shall have “Good Reason” to resign his employment upon the occurrence (without the Executive’s prior written consent) of any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the nature or scope of the Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority in his capacity as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, without regard to any other responsibilities, duties or authority the Executive may have had or performed for the Company at any time; (B) the Company’s material breach of this Agreement; (C) any change in the Executive’s reporting relationship so that he no longer reports to the Board; (D) any decrease in the Executive’s Annual Base Salary, target bonus percentage as set forth in Section 3(a), or benefit plans, programs and arrangements as in effect from time to time (other than a general reduction in base salary, target bonus percentages or benefit plans, programs and arrangements that affects all members of senior management equally); or (E) Executive is removed from the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive may not resign his employment for Good Reason unless: (x) the Executive provided the Company with at least 30 days prior written notice of his intent to resign for Good Reason (which notice must be provided within 180 days following (i) the occurrence of the event(s) purported to constitute Good Reason, or (ii) if the Executive could not reasonably have known of the occurrence of any of such events, the date on which the Executive had actual knowledge of the occurrence of any of such events); and (y) the Company has not remedied the alleged occurrence(s) within the 30-day period following its receipt of such notice from the Executive.

(k) “Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

(l) “Parent” means STR Holdings LLC, or any successor thereto, a Delaware limited liability company.

(m) “Restricted Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.

(n) “Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

2. Employment

(a) In General. The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall enter the employ of the Company, for the period set forth in Section 2(b), in the position set forth in Section 2(c), and upon the other terms and conditions herein provided.

(b) Term of Employment. The initial term of employment under this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall be for the period beginning on July 18, 2008 and ending on the fourth anniversary thereof, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 4. The employment term hereunder shall automatically be extended for successive one-year periods (“Extension Terms” and, collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) unless either party gives written notice of non-extension to the other no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable Term.

(c) Position and Duties. The Executive shall serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with responsibilities, duties and authority customary for such position. The Executive shall report to the Board. The Executive shall devote substantially all his working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Executive agrees to observe and comply with the Company’s rules and policies as adopted by the Company from time to time. During the Term, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (i) serve on industry trade, civic or charitable boards or committees; (ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements; or (iii) manage personal investments (which shall include (x) investments by the Executive of his personal assets in any business which does not compete directly or indirectly with the Company, in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of the Executive in the operation of such business and (y) the purchase by the Executive of a total of up to 5% of the regularly traded securities of any entity, whether or not it competes with the Company), as long as, in the reasonable judgment of the Board, such activities do not and will not interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company. The Executive shall perform his duties hereunder primarily from his office located in Reno, Nevada, and at such other locations as are mutually determined by the Executive and the Board, and shall travel as necessary or as reasonably requested by the Board.

3. Compensation and Related Matters

(a) Annual Base Salary. During the Term, and effective as of December 31, 2007, the Executive shall receive a base salary at a rate of $500,000 per annum, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (the “Annual Base Salary”). The Executive’s Annual Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Board and the Board may, in its sole discretion and consistent with past practices, increase the Annual Base Salary considering the Executive’s performance and that of the Company.

(b) Bonus Compensation. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, for each fiscal year, or portion thereof, during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s management incentive plan (or any successor incentive plan adopted by the Board) pursuant to which Executive may be paid a target amount of 50% of his Annual Base Salary except as the parties may have agreed otherwise in writing; provided, however, in no event shall Executive be paid a regular bonus in excess of 100% of his Annual Base Salary. The

Executive’s bonus will be based upon performance measured against mutually agreed upon goals to be established as soon as practicable after the date hereof. In the discretion of management, Executive shall be eligible to receive incentive units pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of STR Holdings LLC (the “LLC Agreement”). Any bonus shall be paid no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which such bonus is earned and vested.

(c) Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company now (or, to the extent determined by the Board, hereafter) in effect under Executive’s current employment agreement, dated September 1, 2003. For the sake of clarity, Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in, on the same or substantially similar terms, (i) his current long-term disability insurance policy provided by Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company, (ii) his current life insurance policy provided by MassMutual Financial Group, (iii) his current long-term care insurance policy provided by CNA – Continental Casualty Company (Executive’s wife, Xxxxx Xxxxx, shall also be entitled to continue to participate in, on the same or substantially similar terms, her current long-term care insurance policy provided by CNA – Continental Casualty Company). In addition, during the Term, Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of the annual membership dues and standard fees of the La Costa Club of which the Executive is currently a member not to exceed $9,000.

(d) Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation each calendar year. Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and the Executive.

(e) Expenses. The Company shall promptly reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

(f) Legal Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, the Company further agrees to reimburse Executive for Executive’s legal costs up to an amount equal to $5,000 in connection with the review of this Agreement and the proposed terms of Employee’s employment hereunder and/or related tax preparation services by Executive’s legal counsel and/or accountant.

4. Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company or the Executive, as applicable, without any breach of this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

(a) Circumstances

(i) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.

(ii) Disability. If the Executive incurs a Disability, the Company may give the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In that event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the later of the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the

Executive or the date specified in such notice, provided that within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of his duties.

(iii) Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause.

(iv) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment without Cause.

(v) Resignation for Good Reason. The Executive may resign his employment for Good Reason.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. The Executive may resign his employment without Good Reason.

(vii) Non-renewal. Either party may notify the other of his or its intent not to renew this Agreement at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Term, which shall be treated as a termination without Cause if such notice is given by the Company and the Company does not concurrently waive the Executive’s obligations under Section 2 of the Agreement Not to Compete, or a resignation without Good Reason if such notice is given by the Executive.

(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive under this Section 4 (other than termination pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other party hereto indicating (i) the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) except with respect to a termination pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv) or 4(a)(vi), setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) specifying a Date of Termination which, if submitted by the Executive (or, in the case of a termination described in Section 4(a)(ii), by the Company), shall be at least 90 days following the receipt of such notice (a “Notice of Termination”); provided, however, that a Notice of Termination delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) shall not be required to specify a Date of Termination, in which case the Date of Termination shall be determined pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii); and provided, further, that in the event that the Executive delivers a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may, in its sole discretion, change the Date of Termination to any date that occurs following the date of Company’s receipt of such Notice of Termination (even if such date is prior to the date specified in such Notice of Termination). A Notice of Termination submitted by the Company may provide for a Date of Termination on the date the Executive receives the Notice of Termination, or any date thereafter elected by the Company in its sole discretion. The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

5. Company Obligations Upon Termination of Employment

(a) In General. Upon a termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive in a lump sum within 20 business days following the Executive’s termination: the sum of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of

Termination; a pro rata portion of Executive’s bonus, if any, for the applicable period of the calendar year ending on the Date of Termination (which portion of the bonus shall be reasonably determined by the Board at the end of the year in which termination occurs in accordance with the Board’s bonus determination policies then in effect); and any expenses owed to the Executive under Section 3(e). The Executive shall also be entitled to any accrued vacation pay owed to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(d); any amount arising from the Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements under Section 3(c) (including without limitation, any disability or life insurance benefit plans, programs or arrangements), which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements; and any benefits that may be due the Executive under the LLC Agreement or incentive unit agreements between the Executive and the Company.

(b) Termination without Cause or for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (including by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability but not by reason of the Executive’s termination by the Company for Cause or termination by the Executive without Good Reason), then, in addition to the payments and benefits described in Section 5(a) (including benefits under stock option agreements), the Company shall:

(i) Continue to pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate), in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice following the Date of Termination, the Executive’s Annual Base Salary, and continue the Executive’s and/or the Executive’s wife’s participation in the Company’s health and life insurance plans through twenty seven months from the Date of Termination; provided that each payment is intended to constitute a separate payment within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder; provided, further that in the event that Executive is determined by the Company to be a “specified employee” (as defined in Code Section 409A(2)(B) and determined in accordance with Code 416(i) (without regard to paragraph (5) thereof)) of the Company at a time when its stock is deemed to be publicly traded on an established securities market, any payments determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” payable following termination of employment shall be made no earlier than the earlier of (i) the last day of the sixth (6th) complete calendar month following such termination of employment, or (ii) Executive’s death, consistent with the provisions of Code Section 409A. Any payment delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 5(b)(i) or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the health and life insurance benefits that are not non-taxable medical benefits, “disability pay” or “death benefit” plans within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5) shall be provided and administered in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv), which requires that (i) the amount of such benefits provided during one taxable year shall not affect the amount of such benefits provided in any other taxable year, except that to the extent such benefits consist of the reimbursement of expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, a maximum, if provided under the terms of the plan providing such health and life insurance benefits, may be imposed on the amount of such reimbursements over some or all of the period in which such benefit is to be provided to the Executive and/or the Executive’s wife, as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(iv)(B), (ii) to the extent that any such benefits consist of

reimbursement of eligible expenses, such reimbursement must be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred and (iii) no such benefit may be liquidated or exchanged for another benefit;

(ii) If the Executive otherwise would have been entitled to receive a payment pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan had he been employed on the last day of the Company’s fiscal year, then pay to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate) on April 30 of the year following the year in which the Executive’s termination occurs, (and in the event that the Company has not received its audited financial statements for the prior year by April 30 of such year, such bonus shall be paid as soon as practicable thereafter, consistent with the provisions of Code Section 409A, but in no event later than the last day of such following year), the amount of such payment, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days during such fiscal year that the Executive was employed and the denominator of which is 365; and

(iii) Continue paid coverage for the Executive and/or the Executive’s wife and any eligible dependents under all Company group health benefit plans in which the Executive and any dependents were entitled to participate immediately prior to the Date of Termination through the twenty-seventh month after the Date of Termination, to the extent permitted thereunder. As of the date that the Executive ceases to receive coverage under any group health plan pursuant to this Section 5(b)(iii), the Executive shall be eligible to elect to receive “COBRA” continuation coverage to the extent permitted by Section 601 et seq. of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and if such coverage ceases prior to twelve months from the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay for such COBRA coverage through such twelve month period.

6. Restricted Stock. Upon the occurrence of an initial public offering, Parent intends to issue to the Executive restricted shares at the initial public offering price with an aggregate fair market value equal to $6,000,000 (the “Restricted Shares”); provided, however, should an initial public offering not occur by April 1, 2009, Parent intends to issue to the Executive Restricted Shares at the then fair market price with an aggregate fair market value equal to $6,000,000. Executive shall have the option to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), to include the fair market value of the restricted shares in his current taxable income as of the date of issuance, and Parent agrees to reasonably cooperate with Executive if he chooses to make this election. The Restricted Shares shall be subject to the reasonable terms and conditions of any equity incentive plan adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board and shall vest in equal 1/60th installments as of the last day of each of the 60 successive calendar months beginning after the date of issuance of such Restricted Shares; provided, however, if Executive is still actively employed in his current capacity as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, the remaining unvested Restricted Shares shall become immediately vested. In the event of a Change of Control or in the event the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (including by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability), the Restricted Shares, to the extent they then remain unvested, shall become immediately and fully vested. A “Change of Control” shall mean (i) the sale (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a third party; (ii) a sale or issuance (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities resulting in more than 50% of the voting power of the Company

being held by a “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in the Exchange Act) that does not include any of the then existing shareholders of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates; or (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person if following such merger or consolidation, more than 50% of the voting power of the Company is held by a “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in the Exchange Act) that does not include any of the then existing shareholders of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates.

7. Agreement Not To Compete. As of the date hereof the Executive shall enter into an Agreement Not To Compete, in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix A, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by this reference. If the Executive breaches any his covenants in such Agreement Not to Compete, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to no further payments or benefits provided for in this Agreement.

8. Assignment and Successors. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise, shall use its best efforts to require any such successor or other assignee to assume its obligations under this Agreement, and may assign or encumber this Agreement and its rights hereunder as security for indebtedness of the Company and entities controlled by the Company or under common control with the Company. The Executive may not assign his rights or obligations under this Agreement to any individual or entity. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable.

9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Nevada, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of the State of Nevada or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States.

10. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

11. Notices. Any notice, request, claim, demand, document and other communication hereunder to any party shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by telex, telecopy, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the following address (or at any other address as any party shall have specified by notice in writing to the other party):

If to the Company, to:

Specialized Technology Resources, Inc.

00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000

Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx

Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

with a copy to:

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners

Credit Suisse Alternative Investments

2121 Avenue of the Stars

Xxxxx 0000

Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

13. Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement (together with any other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby or referred to herein) is intended by the parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement.

14. Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of Company. By an instrument in writing similarly executed, the Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company may waive compliance by the other party or parties with any provision of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment may be made to this Agreement if it would cause the Agreement or any payment hereunder not to be in compliance with Code Section 409A.

15. No Inconsistent Actions. The parties hereto shall not voluntarily undertake or fail to undertake any action or course of action inconsistent with the provisions or essential intent of this Agreement. Furthermore, it is the intent of the parties hereto to act in a fair and reasonable manner with respect to the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement.

16. Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (a) the plural includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (b) “or” is used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (c) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (d) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; (e) “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (f) all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be

deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or persons referred to may require.

17. Enforcement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

18. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign withholding or other taxes or charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

19. Employee Acknowledgement. The Executive acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect and has consulted with legal counsel as to its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on his judgment.

20. Survival. The expiration or termination of the Term shall not impair the rights or obligations of any party hereto, which shall have accrued prior to such expiration or termination.

21. Disputes. All disputes between the parties arising from or in connection with this Agreement or the Executive’s employment hereunder, including those relating to the existence and validity of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be submitted to full and binding arbitration in Reno, Nevada, before a panel of three arbitrators and administered by the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses of such arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 21 shall prevent or otherwise hinder the ability of the Company to seek injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions in connection with any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Agreement Not to Compete.

[signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.


	Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx


	SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY
	RESOURCES, INC.


	By:
		Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURE PAGE FOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (XXXXX)

Appendix A

Agreement Not To Compete

[Please see attached]

Execution Copy

AGREEMENT NOT TO COMPETE

This Agreement Not To Compete (this “Agreement”) dated as of July 18, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”), and XXXXXX X. XXXXX (the “Employee”).

Recitals

A. Contemporaneously with the execution hereof, the Company and Employee are executing an Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will employ Employee as its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

B. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Employee has agreed to enter into this Agreement as a condition of his employment.

Terms

In consideration of the Employment Agreement, the respective agreements of the parties herein and other good and valuable consideration received by each party from the other, the parties agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms. Any capitalized term used herein but not defined shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Employment Agreement.

2. Agreement Not to Compete. For a period equal to the term of Employee’s employment with the Company and through the date which is twenty-seven (27) months following the Employee’s Date of Termination for any reason (the “Initial Noncompetition Period”), provided Company is not in material default under this Agreement or the Employment Agreement, Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, and whether as employee, principal, agent, shareholder, partner, consultant, advisor, limited liability company manager or member, director, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, compete with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in the business of manufacturing solar panel encapsulent, or the business of providing consumer product quality assurance services to third parties (collectively, the “Business”). The making or guarantying of a loan, lease or any other financial arrangement to, with or for any person or entity that engages in any of the activities described in the preceding sentence shall be deemed a breach of the covenant set forth in the preceding sentence. However, Employee may purchase or own up to 5% of the outstanding stock of any publicly traded corporation that competes with the Company or any Company Affiliate in the Business, but may not be employed by or otherwise participate in the activities of such corporation. For purposes of this agreement, “Company Affiliate” means any entity directly or indirectly controlled by the Company, and also includes STR Holdings, Inc. and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

Provided Company is not in material default under this Agreement or the Employment Agreement, the Company shall have the option to extend the Initial Noncompetition Period for an additional twelve (12) months (the “Extended Noncompetition Period” and, together with the Initial Noncompetition Period, the “Noncompetition Period”); provided, that the Company gives the Executive written notice of such extension at least six (6) months prior to the

expiration of the Initial Noncompetition Period, and agrees to pay to the Employee, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice, the Executive’s Annual Salary, and to continue the Executive’s participation in the Company’s health and life insurance and retirement plans through the Extended Noncompetition Period. For all purposes of this Agreement and the Employment Agreement (including article 3. below), the Noncompetition Period shall not apply or restrict Employee’s activities, nor shall the term of the Noncompetition Period be extended, during any time Company is in material default under this Agreement or the Employment Agreement.

Employee represents and warrants that he does not own, directly, indirectly, in whole or in part, beneficially or otherwise, any company or enterprise that competes with or participates in the Business, or otherwise engage in any activity that would violate this Section 1.

3. Confidential Information; Non-Solicitation; Non-Disparagement; Inventions.

(a) Employee acknowledges that he will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Company and may become familiar with the following, any and all of which constitute confidential information of the Company or Company Affiliates (collectively, the “Confidential Information”): (i) all information related to vendors, suppliers and customers, including, without limitation, customer lists, the identities of existing, past or prospective customers and acquisition targets, prices charged or proposed to be charged to customers, customer contacts, special customer requirements and all related information; (ii) all marketing plans, materials and techniques; (iii) all methods of business operation and related procedures of the Company or Company Affiliates; and (iv) all patterns, devices, compilations of information, copyrightable material and technical information, if any, in each case that relates in any way to the Business of the Company or any Company Affiliate.

(b) Employee acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information learned or obtained by him is the property of the Company or a Company Affiliate. Therefore, Employee shall not at any time disclose to any unauthorized persons or use for his own account or for the benefit of any third party any Confidential Information, whether Employee has such information in his memory or embodied in writing or other physical form, without the Company’s prior written consent (which it may grant or withhold in its sole discretion), unless and to the extent that the Confidential Information is or becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Employee’s fault or, to Employee’s knowledge, the fault of any other person bound by a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any Company Affiliate. Employee agrees to deliver to the Company at any time the Company may request, all documents, memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, and other documentation, models, components, devices, or computer software, whether embodied in a disk or in other form (and all copies of all of the foregoing), relating to the businesses, operations, or affairs of the Company or any Company Affiliate and any other Confidential Information that Employee may then possess or have under Employee’s control.

(c) If the Employee or any entity controlled by Employee (an “Employee Affiliate”) is required by law to disclose any Confidential Information, Employee shall promptly notify the Company in writing so that the Company may seek a protective order or other motion to prevent or limit the production or disclosure of such information. If such motion has been denied, or if Company does not seek a protective order or other motion, then the person required to disclose such information may disclose only such portion of such information that, based on advice of Employee’s outside legal counsel, is required by law to be disclosed (provided that the

person required to disclose such information shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of the remainder of such information). Company shall reimburse Employee for the reasonable expenses (including legal fees and costs) he incurs in responding to or opposing a request for him to disclose Confidential Information. Employee shall continue to be bound by his obligations pursuant to this Agreement for any information that is not required to be disclosed, or that has been afforded protective treatment, pursuant to such motion.

(d) During the Noncompetition Period, Employee will not, and will not permit any Employee Affiliate to, directly or indirectly, (a) recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any employee, customer, subscriber or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company or any Company Affiliate, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or any Company Affiliate, or establish any relationship with Employee or any Employee Affiliate to compete in the Business or (b) without the Company’s prior written consent, hire any employee of the Company or any Company Affiliate, including any person whose employment with the Company or any Company Affiliate is terminated by such employee without Good Reason.

(e) During the Noncompetition Period, Employee agrees not to disparage in any material respect the Company or any Company Affiliate, any of their respective products or practices, or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, agents, representatives, stockholders, members or affiliates, either orally or in writing. The Company and any Company Affiliates (including without limitation any officers or directors of the Company or any Company Affiliate) agree not to disparage in any material respect the Employee or an Employee Affiliate either orally or in writing. Notwithstanding the forgoing, nothing contained herein shall limit the ability of either party, as applicable, to provide truthful testimony as required by law or any judicial or administrative process.

(f) All rights to discoveries, inventions, improvements and innovations (including all data and records pertaining thereto) related to the Business of the Company or any Company Affiliate, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, registrable as a trademark, or reduced to writing, that Employee may discover, invent or originate during the term of Employee’s consulting arrangement or employment with the Company or any Company Affiliate, either alone or with others and whether or not during working hours or by the use of the facilities of either the Company or any of its subsidiaries (“Inventions”), shall be the exclusive property of the Company. Employee shall promptly disclose all Inventions to the Company, shall execute at the request of the Company any assignments or other documents the Company may deem necessary to protect or perfect its rights therein, and shall assist the Company, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining, defending and enforcing the Company’s rights therein. Employee hereby appoints the Company as his attorney-in-fact to execute on his behalf any assignments or other documents deemed necessary by the Company to protect or perfect its rights to any Inventions.

4. Remedies. The necessity of protection against the competition of Employee and the nature and scope of such protection has been carefully considered and agreed upon by the parties hereto. Employee and the Company acknowledge that the duration, scope and geographic area applicable to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are fair, reasonable and necessary. Employee acknowledges that the consideration provided for herein is sufficient and adequate to compensate Employee for agreeing to the restrictions contained in this Agreement and that such restrictions will not cause him undue hardship. If, however, any court determines that the foregoing restrictions are unreasonable and for that reason unenforceable, such restrictions shall be modified, rewritten or interpreted to include as much of their nature and

scope as will render them enforceable. Employee and the Company agree that a monetary remedy for a breach of this Agreement will be inadequate and will be impracticable and extremely difficult to prove, and further agree that such a breach would cause the Company irreparable harm, and that the Company and the Company Affiliates shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damages. Employee agrees that the Company and the Company Affiliates shall be entitled to such injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bond or other undertaking in connection therewith.

5. Notices. Notices sent by the Company or Employee hereunder shall be made in writing to such party at the below addresses or as the Company and Employee may otherwise agree in writing.

If to the Company, to:

Specialized Technology Resources, Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

with a copy to:

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners

Credit Suisse Alternative Investments

2121 Avenue of the Stars

Xxxxx 0000

Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

If to Employee, at the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

7. Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute part of this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

8. Entire Understanding. This Agreement and the other agreements and instruments incorporated herein constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

9. Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or changed except by written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto that expressly states the intention of the parties to modify or change this Agreement.

10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

11. Construction. Whenever in this Agreement the context so requires, references to the masculine shall be deemed to include feminine and the neuter, references to the neuter shall be deemed to include the masculine and feminine, and references to the plural shall be deemed to include the singular and the singular to include the plural.

12. Cooperation. Each party hereto shall cooperate with the other party and shall take such further action and shall execute and deliver such further documents as may be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

13. Waiver. Employee or the Company may, by express written notice to the other: (i) waive any inaccuracies in the representations or warranties of the other party contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) waive compliance with any of the covenants of the other party contained in this Agreement; or (iii) waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the other party. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action, possessing such knowledge or performing such investigation of compliance with the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be constituted as a waiver of any subsequent breach. The failure of any party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any rights granted hereunder or any such term, covenant or condition.

14. Knowledge and Skill. THE EMPLOYEE REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES HE OR SHE POSSESSES AT THE TIME OF COMMENCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT HEREUNDER ARE SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT HIM OR HER, IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT HEREUNDER, TO EARN A LIVELIHOOD SATISFACTORY TO HIMSELF WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY PROVISION HEREOF, FOR EXAMPLE, BY USING SUCH KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, OR SOME OF THEM, IN THE SERVICE OF A NON-COMPETITOR.

15. Interpretation of Agreement. Each party hereto cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto shall be deemed the work product of the parties and may not be construed against any party by reason of its preparation. Accordingly, any rule of law, or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that drafted it, is of no application and is hereby expressly waived. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to effect the intentions of the parties regarding this Agreement.

16. Parties in Interest; Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs and/or personal representatives, except that neither this Agreement nor any interest herein shall be assigned or assignable by operation of law or otherwise by Employee without the prior written consent of the Company. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is

intended to confer on any person other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

17. Severability. If, notwithstanding the express, carefully considered agreement of the Company and Employee set forth herein, any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid, unenforceable or illegal, or if the period during which this Agreement is to remain effective is found to exceed the legally permissible period or the territory with respect to which this Agreement is to be effective is found to exceed the legally permissible territory, then notwithstanding such invalidity, unenforceability or illegality the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect during the maximum period and for the maximum territory legally permissible.

18. Waiver of Jury Trial. Consistent with the intention of Section 10, the Company and Employee each further waives its or his respective right to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action arising out of this Agreement or any dealings between them relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including, without limitation, contract claims, tort claims, and all other common law and statutory claims. This waiver is irrevocable, meaning that it may not be modified either orally or in writing, and this waiver shall apply to any subsequent amendments, supplements or other modifications to this Agreement or to any other document or agreement relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

19. Specific Performance and Other Equitable Relief. Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 4, Employee acknowledges that the remedies at law of the Company and Company Affiliates for failure of Employee to perform any act required to be performed by Employee under this Agreement are inadequate and, therefore, that the Company and Company Affiliates shall be entitled to specific performance of this Agreement by Employee and to such other equitable relief as a court may deem appropriate to prevent any further violation of this Agreement by Employee, and to exercise such remedies cumulatively or in conjunction with all other rights and remedies provided by law or under this Agreement.

20. Full Understanding. Employee represents that he fully understands his right to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with his private attorney, and that to the extent, if any, Employee desired, Employee availed himself of this right. Employee further represents that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement, that Employee is competent to execute this Agreement, that Employee’s agreement to execute and deliver this Agreement has not been obtained by any duress and that Employee freely and voluntarily enters into it, and that Employee has read this Agreement in its entirety and fully understands the meaning, intent and consequences of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement Not to Compete as of the date first written above.


	Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx


	SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, INC.,


	By: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
	Its: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURE PAGE FOR NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT (XXXXX)

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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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