SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Soliciting Material Under Rule
[_] Confidential, For Use of the 14a-12
Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
SUSSEX BANCORP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[_] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
________________________________________________________________________________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
________________________________________________________________________________
5) Total fee paid:
________________________________________________________________________________
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
________________________________________________________________________________
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
________________________________________________________________________________
3) Filing Party:
________________________________________________________________________________
4) Date Filed:
________________________________________________________________________________
SUSSEX BANCORP
399 State Highway 23
P.O. Box 353
Franklin, NJ 07416
March 21, 2002
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Annual Meeting") of Sussex Bancorp (the "Company"), the holding company for
Sussex Bank (the "Bank"), to be held on April 24, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. at the
Bank's Augusta office, 100 Route 206, Augusta, New Jersey.
At the Annual Meeting stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon
the election of Richard Scott and Joseph Zitone to the Company's Board of
Directors to each serve for a term of three years.
The Board of Directors of the Company believes that the election of its
nominees to the Board of Directors is in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders and unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" each of the
Board's nominees.
Your cooperation is appreciated since a majority of the Common Stock of the
Company must be represented, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a
quorum for the conduct of business. Whether or not you expect to attend, please
sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in the postage-paid
envelope provided so that your shares will be represented.
Very truly yours,
/s/William E. Kulsar
--------------------
William E. Kulsar
Secretary
SUSSEX BANCORP
399 State Highway 23
P.O. Box 353
Franklin, NJ 07416
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD April 24, 2002
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of Sussex Bancorp (the "Company") will be held at Sussex Bank's
Augusta office, 100 Route 206, Augusta, New Jersey, on April 24, 2002, at 10:30
a.m. for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters:
1. The election of Richard Scott and Joseph Zitone to serve as directors
of the Company, each for a term of three years and until his successor
is elected and duly qualified; and
2. Such other business as shall properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 4, 2002 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you
contemplate attending the Annual Meeting, it is suggested that the enclosed
proxy be executed and returned to the Company. You may revoke your proxy at any
time prior to the exercise of the proxy by delivering to the Company a later
proxy or by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/William E. Kulsar
--------------------
William E. Kulsar
Secretary
Franklin, New Jersey
March 21, 2002
IMPORTANT---PLEASE MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY
SUSSEX BANCORP
399 State Highway 23
P.O. Box 353
Franklin, NJ 07416
------------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
April 24, 2002
-----------------------------------
GENERAL PROXY STATEMENT INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to stockholders of Sussex Bancorp
(the "Company") in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of
proxies to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"),
to be held on April 24, 2002, at 10:30 a.m., at Sussex Bank's Augusta office,
100 Route 206, Augusta, New Jersey and at any adjournments thereof. The 2001
Annual Report to Stockholders, including consolidated financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, and a proxy card, accompanies this
Proxy Statement, which is first being mailed to record holders on or about March
21, 2002.
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies
Regardless of the number of shares of common stock, no par value, of the
Company ("Common Stock") owned, it is important that you vote by completing the
enclosed proxy card and returning it signed and dated in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. Stockholders are urged to indicate their vote in the
spaces provided on the proxy card. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors
of the Company will be voted in accordance with the directions given therein.
Where no instructions are indicated, signed proxy cards will be voted "FOR" the
election of each of the nominees for director named in this Proxy Statement.
Other than the matters set forth on the attached Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, the Board of Directors knows of no additional matters that may
be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Execution of a proxy,
however, confers on the designated proxy holders discretionary authority to vote
the shares in accordance with their best judgment on such other business, if
any, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments
thereof, including whether or not to adjourn the Annual Meeting.
A proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by sending a
written notice of revocation to the Company, 399 State Highway 23, P.O. Box 353,
Franklin, New Jersey 07416, Attn: Candace A. Leatham. A proxy filed prior to the
Annual Meeting may be revoked by delivering to the Company a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
However, if you are a stockholder whose shares are not registered in your own
name, you will need appropriate documentation from your record holder to vote
personally at the Annual Meeting.
The cost of solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors
will be borne by the Company. Proxies may also be solicited personally or by
mail or telephone by directors, officers and other employees of the Company and
Sussex Bank (the "Bank"), its wholly owned subsidiary, without additional
compensation therefor. The Company will also request persons, firms and
corporations holding shares in their names, or in the name of their nominees,
which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy material to and obtain
proxies from such beneficial owners, and will reimburse such holders for their
reasonable expenses in doing so.
Voting Securities
The securities which may be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of shares
of the Company's Common Stock, with each share entitling its owner to one vote
on all matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, except as described below.
There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors.
The close of business on March 4, 2002, has been fixed by the Board of
Directors as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of
stockholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting
and at any adjournments thereof. The total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the Record Date was 1,660,147 shares.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority
of the total number of shares of Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. In the event that there are not
sufficient votes for a quorum, or to approve or ratify any matter being
presented at the time of the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned
in order to permit the further solicitation of proxies.
The proxy card being provided by the Board of Directors enables a
stockholder to vote "FOR" the election of the nominees proposed by the Board of
Directors, or to "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY" to vote for one or more of the nominees
being proposed. Under New Jersey law and the Company's Bylaws, directors are
elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or
abstentions.
-2-
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and its Bylaws authorize a
minimum of five (5) and a maximum of twenty-five (25) directors but leave the
exact number to be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board has
fixed the number of directors at eight (8).
Directors are elected to serve for staggered terms of three years each,
with the term of certain directors expiring each year. Directors serve until
their successors are duly elected and qualified.
If, for any reason, any of the nominees become unavailable for election,
the proxy solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for a substitute
nominee selected by the Board of Directors. The Board has no reason to believe
that any of the named nominees is not available or will not serve if elected.
Unless authority to vote for the nominee is withheld, it is intended that the
shares represented by the enclosed proxy card, if executed and returned, will be
voted "FOR" the election of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE NOMINEES NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Information with respect to the Nominees
The following tables set forth, as of the Record Date, the names of the
nominees for election and those directors whose terms continue beyond the Annual
Meeting, their ages, a brief description of their recent business experience,
including present occupations, and the year in which each became a director of
the Company or the Bank. No nominee is a director of another company registered
pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or subject to the
requirements of Section 15(d) of such Act or any company registered as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
-3-
Table I
Nominees for 2000 Annual Meeting
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Name, Age and Position Principal Occupations During Director Term
With the Company Past Five Years Since (1) Expires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Scott, 66 Dentist, Richard Scott, DDS
Director Franklin, New Jersey 1976 2002
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Joseph Zitone, 70 General Contractor, Zitone
Director Construction Montague, New Jersey 1984 2002
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-----------------------------------------
(1) Includes prior service on Board of Directors of the Bank prior to
formation of the Company.
Table II
Directors of the Company whose Terms Continue Beyond this Annual Meeting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name, Age and Position Principal Occupations During Director Term
With the Company Past Five Years Since (1) Expires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark J. Hontz, 35 Partner 1998 2003
Director Hollander Hontz Weaver & Hinkes,L.L.C.
Newton, New Jersey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald L. Kovach, 67 Chairman, CEO and President 1976 2003
Chairman of the Board, of the Company and the Bank
CEO and President and Attorney at Law
Franklin, New Jersey
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Joel D. Marvil, 66 Chairman of Manufacturing Co. 1989 2003
Director Ames Rubber Corporation
Hamburg, New Jersey
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Irvin Ackerson, 79 Excavating Contractor
Director Ackerson Contracting Co. 1976 2004
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William E. Kulser, 65 Certified Public Accountant 1976 2004
Secretary and Director Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, P.A.
Sparta, New Jersey
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Terry Thompson, 55 Executive Vice President and Chief
Director Operations Officer of the Bank 2001 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes prior service on Board of Directors of the Bank prior to
formation of the Company.
-4-
Board of Directors' Meetings
Pursuant to the New Jersey Business Corporation Act and the Company's
by-laws, the Company's business and affairs are managed under the direction of
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company held five meetings
during 2001. The Board of Directors holds regularly scheduled meetings each
month and special meetings as circumstances require. All of the directors of the
Company attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings held and
committee meetings held during 2001.
Committees of the Board
During 2001, the Board of Directors maintained an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Company does not maintain a separate Nominating
Committee. The full Board acts as a Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee. The Company's Audit Committee consisted during 2001 of
-----------------
Directors William E. Kulsar (Chairman), Richard Scott, and Mark J. Hontz. The
Audit Committee met four times during 2001.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee meets periodically to consider the adequacy of the
Company's financial controls and the objectivity of its financial reporting. The
Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent auditors and the Company's
internal auditors, both whom have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee.
All Directors who serve on the Audit Committee are "independent" for
purposes of the American Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board has adopted
a written charter for the Audit Committee setting forth the audit related
functions the Audit Committee is to perform. This Charter was filed with the SEC
as an exhibit to last year's proxy statement.
In connection with this year's financial statements, the Audit Committee
has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements with the
Company's officers and Arthur Andersen, LLP, our independent auditors. We have
discussed with Arthur Andersen, LLP, the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). We
also have received the written disclosures and letters from Arthur Andersen, LLP
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees), and have discussed with representatives of
Arthur Andersen, LLP their independence.
-5-
Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Company's Annual Report on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year 2001 for filing with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
William E. Kulsar (Chairman)
Mark J. Hontz.
Compensation Committee. The Company maintains a Compensation Committee which
------------------------
sets the compensation for the executive officers of the Company. In 2001, the
Compensation Committee consisted of Directors Joel D. Marvil (Chairman), Irvin
Ackerson, Joseph Zitone and Mark J. Hontz and met three times.
Compensation of Directors
During 2001, Directors of the Bank who were not full-time employees of the
Bank received a fee of $500 for each regular monthly Board meeting or special
Board meeting attended, and $100 for each committee meeting attended.In
addition, each Director who undertook a special project at the request of the
Bank and with Board of Directors' approval was paid at an hourly rate of $100
per hour for their time spent on the project. Directors of the Company did not
receive any additional compensation for their service on the Bank's Board of
Directors during 2001. During 2001, Directors of the Company received an annual
retainer of $4,000 each.
The Company maintains the 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(the "Non-Employee Plan), the purpose of which is to assist the Company in
attracting and retaining qualified persons to serve as members of the Board of
Directors. Under the Non-Employee Plan, options to purchase up to a total of
32,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted at exercise prices which may not be
less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Under
the Non-Employee Plan, each non-employee director elected at the 1995 Annual
Meeting was granted an option to purchase 3,000 shares at $11.25 per share. In
addition, each non-employee director who is elected or re-elected to serve on
the Board of Directors at succeeding annual meetings will be granted an option
to purchase 500 shares of Common Stock at the time of such re-election. The
exercise price for options granted in connection with the 2001 annual meeting
was $10.25.
In addition, members of the Board of Directors are eligible to
participate in the 2001 Stock Option Plan, which was approved by
shareholders last year. Under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, options to
purchase up to a total of 165,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted.
Pursuant to the terms of the 2001 Stock Option Plan, options which qualify
as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 must be
granted at an exercise price of no less than 100% of the then current fair
market value of the Common Stock, and options which are non-statutory
options may be granted at an exercise price no less than 85% of the then
current fair market value of the Common Stock.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial
ownership of shares of Common Stock as of February 28, 2002, by (i) each person
who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of
the issued and outstanding Common Stock ,(ii) each director and nominee for
director of the Company, (iii) each executive officer of the Company described
in this Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation" and (iv) all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Other than as set
forth in this table, the Company is not aware of any individual or group which
holds in excess of 5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
================================================================================
Name of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Percent
Beneficially Owned (1) of Class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.93%
Irvin Ackerson 32,028 (2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.17%
Mark J. Hontz 2,893 (3)
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7.27%
Donald L. Kovach 0,742 (4)(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27,706(6) 1.67%
William E. Kulsar
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2.68%
Joel D. Marvil 44,440 (7)
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3.23%
Richard Scott 53,551 (8)
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1.14%
Terry Thompson 18,993 (9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.13%
Joseph Zitone 85,156 (10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directors & Principal Officers 385,509 23.22%
as a Group (8persons)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beneficial Owners of more than 5%
of Common Stock:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
162,481 9.79%
Ambrose Hamm
P.O. Box E
Branchville, NJ 07826
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
163,391 9.84%
Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.
250 Oak Ridge Road
Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
================================================================================
-7-
(1) Beneficially owned shares include shares over which the named person
exercises either sole or shared voting power or sole or shared investment
power. It also includes shares owned (i) by a spouse, minor children or by
relatives sharing the same home, (ii) by entities owned or controlled by
the named person, and (iii) by other persons if the named person has the
right to acquire such shares within 60 days by the exercise of any right or
option. Unless otherwise noted, all shares are owned of record and
beneficially by the named person, either directly or through the dividend
reinvestment plan.
(2) Includes 10,875 shares owned by Mr. Ackerson's wife. Also includes 9,253
shares purchasable upon the exercise of immediately exercisable stock
options.
(3) Also includes 1,788 purchasable upon the exercise of immediately
exercisable stock options.
(4) Includes 15,727 shares owned by Mr. Kovach's wife, 5,731 shares in the name
of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, FBO Donald L. Kovach and 3,458
shares in the name of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, FBO Betty J.
Kovach, 1,260 shares in the name of IBAA Financial Services FBO Donald L.
Kovach, 1,365 shares in the name of IBAA Financial Services FBO Betty J.
Kovach. Also includes 5,967 shares purchasable upon the exercise of stock
options.
(5) Includes 39,387 shares over which Mr. Kovach has voting authority as
administrator for The Sussex County State Bank Employee Stock Ownership
Plan.
(6) Includes 15,523shares in the name of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
FBO William E. Kulsar IRA and 1,596 shares in the name of Merrill Lynch
Pierce Fenner & Smith FBO William E. Kulsar. Also includes 9,719 shares
purchasable upon the exercise of immediately exercisable stock options.
(7) Also includes 10,790 shares purchasable upon the exercise of immediately
exercisable stock options.
(8) Also includes 10,769 shares purchasable upon the exercise of immediately
exercisable stock options.
(9) Also includes 3,600 shares purchasable upon the exercise of stock options
(10) Includes 11,237 shares owned by the Zitone Construction & Supply Co., Inc.
Profit Sharing Plan Trust and 15,300 shares in the name of Smith Barney FBO
Joseph Zitone. Also includes 1,525 shares purchasable upon the exercise of
immediately exercisable stock options.
Annual Executive Compensation and All Other Compensation
-8-
The following table sets forth a summary for the last three (3) fiscal
years of the cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to,
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Our CEO is the only executive
officer whose remuneration exceeded $100,000 for the last fiscal year.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Cash and Cash Equivalent Forms
of Remuneration
--------------=================================================================================================
Annual Compensation Award Payouts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities
Name and Underlying LTIP All Other
Principal Other Annual Options/SARs Payouts Compensation
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) Compensation ($) (#) ($) ($)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald L. 2001 $177,234 -0- (1) 1,080 None -0-
Kovach,
Chairman of
the
Board and CEO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 $168,618 -0- (1) 315 None -0-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 $159,723 -0- (1) 720 None -0-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) During the fiscal years presented, the Company provided additional life
insurance and an automobile and provided a match to Mr. Kovach's 401(k) plan
account membership for Mr. Kovach. The use made thereof for personal purposes
did not exceed 10% of the total cash compensation to such persons which is the
sum of base salary and bonus and therefore is not included in the above table.
Employment Agreements
The Company and the Bank are parties to an Employment Agreement with Mr.
Donald L. Kovach pursuant to which he serves as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and the Bank (the "Employment Agreement"). The Employment
Agreement provides for a term ending on August 31, 2002, although it will be
automatically extended on each anniversary date for up to two (2) additional
one-year periods unless either party provides notice of their intention not to
extend the contract. No such notice was given for the August 31, 2001
anniversary. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Kovach will receive a
base salary of $160,200, subject to increase or decrease, and may be granted a
discretionary bonus as determined by the Board of Directors. The Employment
Agreement permits the Company to terminate Mr. Kovach's employment for cause at
any time. The Employment Agreement defines cause to mean personal dishonesty,
willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit,
intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of law, rule or
regulation, other than traffic violations or similar offenses, or violation of a
final cease and desist order, or a material breach of any provision of the
Agreement. In the event Mr. Kovach is terminated for any reason other than
cause, or in the event Mr. Kovach resigns his employment because he is
reassigned to a position of lesser rank or status than President and Chief
Executive Officer, his place of employment is
-9-
relocated by more than 30 miles from its location on the date of the Agreement,
or his compensation or other benefits are reduced, Mr. Kovach, or in the event
of his death, his beneficiary, will be entitled to receive his base salary at
the time of such termination or resignation for the remaining term of the
Agreement. In addition, the Company will continue to provide Mr. Kovach with
certain insurance and other benefits through the end of the term of the
Agreement. Mr. Kovach's Employment Agreement further provides that upon the
occurrence of a change in control of the Company, as defined in the Employment
Agreement, and in the event Mr. Kovach is terminated for reasons other than
cause or in the event Mr. Kovach, within 18 months of the change in control,
resigns his employment for the reasons discussed above, he shall be entitled to
receive a severance payment based upon his then current base salary. Under the
Agreement, in the event the change in control occurs, Mr. Kovach is entitled to
a severance payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary. The
Employment Agreement also prohibits Mr. Kovach from competing with the Bank and
the Company for a period of one year following termination of his employment.
Retirement Plans
The Bank maintains a salary continuation plan for Mr. Kovach. Under
this plan, Mr. Kovach will receive a retirement benefit equal to 35% of his
average final compensation determined by his last five years of employment. Mr.
Kovach will receive this benefit in the event that he works to age 70, or he is
involuntarily discharged prior to age 70 for any reason other than "cause". For
purposes of the Salary Continuation Agreement, cause is defined in the same
manner as under Mr. Kovach's Employment Agreement. Annual retirement payments
are to be made for fifteen years under the Salary Continuation Agreement to Mr.
Kovach or, in the event of his death, to his spouse.
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 2001 Stock Option Plan
The Company maintains the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan which provides
for options to purchase shares of Common Stock to be issued to key employees of
the Company, the Bank and any other subsidiaries which the Company may acquire
or incorporate in the future. The Company also maintains the 2001 Stock Option
Plan, under which options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be issued to
employees, officers and directors of the Company, the Bank and any other
subsidiaries which the Company may acquire or incorporate in the future.
Recipients of options granted under the Plans are selected by the Stock Option
Committee of the Board of Directors. The Stock Option Committee has the
authority to determine the terms and conditions of options granted under the
Plans and the exercise price therefore. The exercise price for options granted
under the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and for Incentive Stock Options
under the 2001 Stock Option Plan may be no less than the fair market value of
the Common Stock. The exercise price for non-statutory options granted under the
2001 Stock Option Plan may be no less than 85% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock.
The following table sets forth information regarding stock option grants to
the individuals named in the table above:
-10-
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
=================================================================================================================================
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Securities % of Total
Underlying Option/SARs Granted Exercise or Present Value of
Options/SARs to Employees in Base Price Expiration Option on Date of
Name Granted (#)(1) Fiscal Year ($/SH) Date Grant($)(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald L. Kovach
1,080 14% $10.50 01/17/06 $3,456
==================================================================================================================================
-------------------
(1) As of December 31, 2001, none of these options were immediately
exercisable.
(2) The present value of each option grant is estimated on the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of 1.98%, expected
volatility of 22.5%, risk free interest rate of 4.88%, and an expected
life of five (5) years.
The following table sets forth information concerning the fiscal year-end
value of unexercised options held by the executive officers of the Company named
in the table above. No stock options were exercised by such executive officers
during 2001.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL
YEAR AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
==================================================================================================================================
Value of Unexercised
Number of Securities In-the-Money Options/SARs at
Underlying Unexercised FY-End ($) (based on $10.25 per
Value Options/SARs at FY-End (#) share)
Shares Acquired on Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald L. Kovach 2,122 $7,993 6,453/1,266 $ 29,356/$338
==================================================================================================================================
-11-
Interest of Management and Others in Certain Transactions
The Bank has made in the past and, assuming continued satisfaction of
generally applicable credit standards, expects to continue to make loans to
directors, executive officers and their associates (i.e. corporations or
organizations for which they serve as officers or directors or in which they
have beneficial ownership interests of ten percent or more). These loans have
all been made in the ordinary course of the Bank's business on substantially the
same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the
time for comparable transactions with other persons and do not involve more than
the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
The Bank paid $12,943 to Kovach and Vanderwiele, Attorneys at Law, at which
Donald L. Kovach, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, is a
member, for legal services rendered to the Bank during fiscal 2001. Said firm
renders legal services to the Bank on a continuing basis.
The Bank paid $ 13,450 during fiscal 2001 to Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, P.A.,
Certified Public Accountants, at which William E. Kulsar, Secretary and a
Director of the Company and the Bank is a member, for accounting services
rendered to the Bank for IRS filing purposes and other accounting services
beyond those provided by the annually retained independent public accountants.
Caristia, Kulsar, & Wade, P.A. continues to render accounting services to the
Bank. Mr. Kulsar was also paid $8,625 in consulting fees.
The Bank paid $15,895 to Irvin Ackerson for appraisal services rendered to
the Bank during fiscal 2001. Irvin Ackerson continues to render appraisal
services to the Bank.
The Bank leases its Montague branch office from Montague Mini Mall, Inc.
under a lease covering 1,200 square feet. The lease agreement was renewed as of
April 1, 1997. As renewed, the lease will terminate on March 31, 2002, and
provides for a monthly rent of $1,650. Mr. Joseph Zitone, a Director of the
Company, is a majority stockholder of Montague Mini Mall, Inc. The Company
considers the lease terms to be comparable to those which exist with
unaffiliated third parties.
Recommendation and Vote Required
Nominees will be elected by a plurality of the shares voting at the Annual
Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" ITS NOMINEES
FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
-12-
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2001 were Arthur Andersen, LLP ("Arthur Andersen"). Arthur Andersen has advised
the Company that one or more of its representatives will be present at the
Annual Meeting to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to
appropriate questions.
Audit Fees
The Company was billed the aggregate amount of $74,500for fiscal year 2001
for professional services rendered by Arthur Andersen for audit of the Company's
annual financial statements for 2001 and review of the financial statements
included in the Company's forms 10-QSB during 2001.
Financial Information System Design and Implemental Fees
The Company was not billed any amount for financial information system
design and implementation services rendered by Arthur Andersen during 2001.
All Other Fees
In addition to the audit fees described above, Arthur Andersen billed the
Company $35,500 in other fees related to consultation on acquisitions. Other
than these fees and the fees set forth above under Audit Fees, the Company was
not billed for any services by Arthur Andersen for fiscal year 2001.
Change in Auditors
In 2001 the Company changed independent auditors. The Company replaced
Radics & Co., LLC with Arthur Andersen to serve as its independent auditors. The
decision to change auditors was recommended by the Company's Audit Committee.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, the Company had retained
the services of Radics & Co., LLC as its independent auditors. There have been
no disagreements with Radics & Co., LLC on any matter of accounting principles
or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure
which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Radics & Co., LLC, would have
caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in
connection with their reports. The independent auditor's report on the
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000
and 1999 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was
not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or auditing principles.
-13
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
The Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001,
all persons subject to Section 16(a) have made all required filings for the
fiscal year 2001.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders to be included in the Company's 2003 proxy
material must be received by the Secretary of the Company no later than November
22, 2002.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters which may come
before the Annual Meeting. However, in the event such other matters come before
the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on
any such matters in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of
Directors.
-14-
SUSSEX BANCORP
REVOCABLE PROXY FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
APRIL 24, 2002
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Candace A. Leatham and Terry H. Thompson
and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of
Sussex Bancorp (the "Company") standing in the undersigned's name at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to be held at the Augusta office of
Sussex Bank (the "Bank"), 100 Route 206, Augusta, New Jersey, on Wednesday,
April 24, 2002, at 10:30 A.M., and at any adjournment thereof. The undersigned
hereby revokes any and all proxies heretofore given with respect to such
meeting.
This proxy will be voted as specified below. If no choice is specified, the
proxy will be voted "FOR" Management's nominees to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote for its nominees.
1. Election of the following two (2) nominees to each serve on the
Board of Directors for a term of three (3) years and until their
successors are elected and duly qualified: Richard Scott, Joseph
Zitone
[ _ ] FOR ALL NOMINEES
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE NAMED NOMINEES, PRINT THE
NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE BELOW:
______________________________________________
[ _ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
2. In their discretion, such other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
Dated: , 2002.
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Signature
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Signature
(Please sign exactly as your name appears. When signing as an executor,
administrator, guardian, trustee or attorney, please give your title as such. If
signer is a corporation, please sign the full corporate name and then an
authorized officer should sign his name and print his name and title below his
signature. If the shares are held in joint name, all joint owners should sign.)
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.