Exhibit 10.3 [BELDEN CDT LOGO] BELDEN CDT INC. 7701 FORSYTH BOULEVARD SUITE 800 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63105 TELEPHONE: (314) 854-8000 FACSIMILE: (314) 854-8001 PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL May 17, 2005 Mr. C. Baker Cunningham 6424 Cecil Avenue St. Louis, MO 63105 Dear Baker: The terms of your retention award letter agreement (the "Retention Letter Agreement"), dated as of June 28, 2004, are amended as follows: - If you were to retire from Belden CDT Inc. (the "Company") before July 15, 2006, the unpaid cash award under your Retention Letter Agreement will be paid upon your retirement, and the unvested portion of the restricted stock award under your letter agreement will vest upon your retirement. - All other unvested restricted stock and stock options will vest upon your retirement, whether before or after July 15, 2006. BELDEN CDT INC. By: /s/ Kevin Bloomfield ----------------------------- Kevin Bloomfield Agreed: /s/ C. Baker Cunningham ----------------------------- C. Baker Cunningham