Primis Financial Corp.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Apr 29, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Apr 29, 2025
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section discusses the Company’s compensation program, including how it relates to the executive officers named in the compensation tables that follow (who we sometimes refer to below and elsewhere in this Annual Form on 10-K as the “named executive officers”). The executive officers of the Company currently hold equivalent executive officer positions with the Bank and all executive compensation is paid by the Bank for services performed by executives of the Bank. Accordingly, the following discussion of executive compensation relates to the compensation by the Bank to executives of the Bank.
The primary objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, retain and motivate key employees and enable those persons to participate in the long-term success of the Company while also advancing the interests of our stockholders. As such, the compensation program is designed to provide levels of compensation which are reflective of both the individual’s and the organization’s performance in achieving certain goals and objectives and in helping to build value for our stockholders. Set forth below is an analysis of our compensation program, the material compensation policy decisions we have made under this program and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions.
Our named executive officers (the “NEOs”) are:
| ● | Dennis J. Zember, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer; |
| ● | Matthew A. Switzer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; |
| ● | Rickey A. Fulk, Executive Vice President and President of Primis Bank; |
| ● | Marie T. Leibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer; and |
| ● | Ann-Stanton C. Gore, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. |
Overview of Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for developing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s executive compensation policies. The Compensation Committee, along with the Board, has reviewed the compensation policies and practices for all employees and concluded that any risks arising from such policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The fundamental objectives of the Bank’s executive compensation policies are to ensure that Bank executives are provided incentives and compensated in a way that advances both the short- and long-term interests of stockholders while also ensuring that the Company and the Bank are able to attract, retain and motivate executive management talent. Accordingly, compensation is based on: (1) the employee’s individual performance and his or her ability to lead the Company and the Bank to achieve their respective financial goals, (2) the Company’s consolidated financial performance and (3) compensation compared to peer institutions’ executive compensation. In making decisions with respect to any element of an executive officer’s compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the total compensation that may be awarded to the executive officer, including salary, annual bonus, long-term equity incentive compensation, accumulated realized and unrealized stock option gains, and the dollar value to the executive and cost to the Company of all perquisites and other personal benefits. The Compensation Committee’s goal is to award compensation that is reasonable when all elements of potential compensation are considered.
The Compensation Committee believes tying compensation to Company performance is critical for ensuring management alignment with stockholders, particularly for CEO compensation. As discussed further below, executive compensation in 2024 was heavily influenced by the Company’s earnings performance for the year.
Setting Executive Compensation
In reviewing the 2024 compensation of each of our executive officers, the Compensation Committee reviewed all components of his or her respective compensation, including base salary, annual bonus, long-term equity incentive compensation, accumulated realized and unrealized stock option gains, and the dollar value to the executive and cost to the Company of all perquisites and other personal benefits. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviewed each executive officer’s compensation history and performance information and the market data discussed below.
Role of Compensation Consultant and Market Data
In 2024, the Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer (the “Consultant”) to provide advice with respect to executive officer and director compensation for 2024. The Consultant periodically attended the Compensation Committee’s meetings, including executive sessions, and provided information and advice independent of management and, at the direction of the Compensation Committee Chairman, assisted management with various activities that support the Company’s executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee considered the independence of the Consultant in light of the SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards and concluded that the work of the Consultant did not raise any conflicts of interest. The Consultant did not provide any services to the Company other than executive compensation-related services.
The Consultant reviewed a peer group comprised of 22 mid-Atlantic U.S. banks ranging in assets from $2.1 billion to $6.3 billion, with median assets of $3.6 billion. The peer group consisted of the following banks: ACNB Corporation, Bankwell Financial Group, Inc., BCB Bancorp, Inc., C&F Financial Corporation, Capital City Bank Group, Carter Bankshares, City Holding, CNB Financial, Colony Bankcorp, First Bank, First Community Bancshares, HomeTrust Bancshares, John Marshall Bancorp, MainStreet Bancshares, Inc., MetroCity Bankshares, Mid Penn Bancorp, MVB Financial, Orrstown Financial Services, Peoples Financial Services, Shore Bancshares, Inc., SmartFinancial Inc. and Southern First Bancshares, Inc. The Consultant also reviewed recent trends in the public markets related to compensation practices and certain notable developments with regulations and court cases that the committee should be aware of.
The Company evaluated publicly available compensation data for the peer group but did not benchmark the compensation of its named executive officers to a certain percentage or range of compensation within the market data collected. Instead, the Compensation Committee used this information as a point of reference for measurement, but not as the determinative factor in setting the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The Compensation Committee did not use the compensation data to “target” a specific compensation level for any given executive. Rather, the Compensation Committee used its understanding of peer group compensation as a starting point for its decision making.
Because the comparative compensation information is just one of the analytical tools that are used in setting named executive officer compensation, the Compensation Committee has discretion in determining the nature and extent of its use. Further, given the limitations associated with comparative pay information for setting individual executive compensation, including the difficulty of assessing and comparing wealth accumulation through equity gains and post-employment amounts, the Compensation Committee may elect not to use the comparative compensation information at all in the course of making compensation decisions.
Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation
The Compensation Committee meets with the CEO early in the year to evaluate Company performance and determine incentive compensation related to the recently completed fiscal year and salary adjustments for the upcoming year. For 2024, the Compensation Committee made all decisions with respect to the compensation of Mr. Zember, subject to review and approval by the full Board of Directors. Mr. Zember reviewed the performance of the Company’s executive officers (other than himself) and, based on that review, recommended to the Compensation Committee amounts payable to such other executive officers, including the other named executive officers. Mr. Zember was not involved with any aspect of determining his own pay.
Consideration of Last Year’s Advisory Stockholder Vote on Executive Compensation
At the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”), approximately 94% of the shares represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting were voted to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as discussed and disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting. The Compensation Committee concluded that the results of the advisory say-on-pay vote reflected stockholder support of our compensation program. In light of this support, the Compensation Committee did not make material changes to our executive compensation program.
Components of Executive Compensation
The principal components of the executive compensation program of the Company (through the Bank) are:
| ● | base salary; |
| ● | cash incentive awards; |
| ● | long-term equity incentive awards; |
| ● | perquisites and other personal benefits; and |
| ● | severance protection through employment agreements. |
Base Salary
Salaries provide executive officers with a base level of monthly income and help achieve the objectives outlined above by attracting and retaining strong talent. Generally, base salaries are not based on specific measures of corporate performance, but are determined by tenure of service, scope of the position, including current job responsibilities, relative
salaries of the Company’s peers and the officer’s individual performance and contribution to the Company. The Company’s base salaries are adjusted based on factors such as individual experience, individual performance, individual potential, cost of living considerations and specific issues particular to the Company as well as the Compensation Committee’s subjective judgment. The Compensation Committee monitors the base salary levels and the various incentives of the named executive officers of the Company to ensure that overall compensation is consistent with the Company’s objectives and remains competitive within the area of the Company’s operations.
Effective March 1, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved an increase to the base salary of the following executive officers: Mr. Zember, 7.0% to $722,113; Mr. Switzer, 9.1% to $360,030; Mr. Fulk, 8.3% to $324,900; Ms. Leibson, 5.5% to $314,911; and Ms. Gore, 5.8% to $275,080.
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee spent considerable time in 2024, in coordination with the full Board of Directors and the CEO, aligning targets for incentive pay with the Company’s short-term goals. In 2024, the Compensation Committee established the following goals with high and low ranges of achievement around the target and with each goal weighted equally:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Incentive Payout Rates Versus Targets | ||||||||||||
| Financial Measure | 0% | 50% | 10% | 150% | Payout | Weighting | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Income as Percent of Budget(1) | | 75% | | 90% | | 100% | | 110% | | 50% | | 50.0% |
| Deposit Growth(2) | | 3% | | 4% | | 5% | | 6% | | 121% | | 16.7% |
| Gross Loan Growth(3) | | 6% | | 7% | | 8% | | 9% | | 0% | | 16.7% |
| Growth in Bank OpEx(4) | | 6% | | 5% | | 4% | | 2.0% | | 150% | | 16.7% |
| (1) | Core net income for 2024, adjusted for certain one-time items, as a percentage of budgeted net income for 2024. |
| (2) | Represents growth in deposits from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. |
| (3) | Represents growth in gross loans held for investment from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. |
| (4) | Represents the amount of Bank level noninterest expense growth in 2024 versus 2023. |
Targets incentive percentages of base salary were determined for executive management. These targets combined with the weighted payout as described above would determine short-term incentives. The following table shows the target incentive payout levels for each named executive officer assuming 100% performance on the established goals:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · · · · · · Calculated · · · · · | ||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · Target · · Incentive · · Actual · · | ||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · Target · · Incentive · · Payment · · Incentive · · Actual | ||||||||||||||||
| Named Executive · Salary ($) · (% of Salary) · Payment ($) · (at 70%) ($) · Payment ($) · (% of Salary) | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | $722,113 | | 50% | | $361,057 | | $252,740 | | $— | | 0% | ||||
| Matthew A. Switzer | | | 360,030 | | 30% | | | 108,009 | | | 75,606 | | | 25,253 | | 7% |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | | 324,900 | | 30% | | | 97,470 | | | 68,229 | | | 40,937 | | 13% |
| Marie T. Leibson | | | 314,911 | | 30% | | | 94,473 | | | 66,131 | | | 39,679 | | 13% |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | | 275,080 | | 30% | | | 82,524 | | | 57,767 | | | 34,660 | | 13% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As noted above, actual results relative to 2024 goals implied a payout of 70% of targeted incentive amounts for the year driven by deposit growth and expense control. However, the Compensation Committee noted that, while progress had been made on numerous strategic initiatives and on improving core profitability, the Company ultimately reported a net loss for the year largely attributable to the performance of a third-party originated consumer loan portfolio. As a result, the Compensation Committee used its discretion to substantially reduce short-term incentive payments for executive management for 2024. In addition, the Compensation Committee noted financial reports were not filed timely in 2024 due to accounting issues with the loan portfolio highlighted above. As a result, the Compensation Committee further reduced short-term incentive compensation for the CFO and eliminated short-term incentive compensation for the CEO for 2024.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
The Company maintains an equity compensation program for its named executive officers and other key employees, in order to attract, retain and motivate key employees and enable those persons to participate in the long-term success of the Company. In 2021, the Compensation Committee began including performance-based grants in management’s long-term equity incentive awards to increase the alignment of management incentives with long-term goals versus time-based grants alone. Beginning in 2022, the Compensation Committee chose to make all awards performance-based. The performance-based restricted stock units are convertible, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of stock based on the level of achievement of the Company’s adjusted earnings per share compound annual growth over the 5-year performance period commencing the year of the grant. The following table details the performance targets and payout levels for the 2022 and 2023 performance unit grants, which performance periods conclude March 15, 2027 and 2028, respectively. The Compensation Committee did not approve any performance-based restricted stock units in 2024.
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EPS CAGR(1) · · Payout | ||||
| 2022 · 2023 · Factor | ||||
| | | | | |
| 10% | | 10% | | 150% |
| 8% | | 8% | | 100% |
| 6% | | 6% | | 75% |
| 5% | | 5% | | 50% |
| < 5% | | < 5% | | 0% |
| (1) | Calculated as the five-year compound annual growth rate in credit-adjusted pre-tax operating earnings per share beginning the year of the grant. |
Amendment to Mr. Zember’s Performance Units. During 2023, the Compensation Committee amended Mr. Zember’s 2021 and 2022 performance units (collectively, the “Zember Performance Unit Amendment”) to provide that (i) with respect to the 2021 performance units, to the extent that the Company meets the performance targets that would entitle Mr. Zember to earn more than 50,000 shares upon settlement of the award in 2026 (or, in certain limited circumstances, an earlier date as provided in the award agreement), Mr. Zember’s award will be limited at 50,000 shares of stock and he will be entitled to the cash value of any shares earned in excess of 50,000 (with the value of any cash awards received by Mr. Zember in 2026 limited to $500,000); and (ii) with respect to the 2022 performance units, to the extent that the Company meets the performance targets that would entitle Mr. Zember to earn more than 50,000 shares upon settlement of the award in 2027 (or, in certain limited circumstances, an earlier date as provided in the award agreement), Mr. Zember’s award will be limited at 25,233 shares of stock, and he will be entitled to the cash value of any shares earned in excess of 25,233 (with the value of any cash awards received by Mr. Zember in 2027 limited to $500,000).** The terms of Mr. Zember’s 2023 performance units are consistent with those provided in the Zember Performance Unit Amendment. **
Perquisites and Employee Benefit Plans
Perquisites represent a small part of the Company’s executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee reviews annually the perquisites provided to the named executive officers, and offers such benefits after consideration of the business need. The named executive officers are eligible to participate in the same employee benefits plans that are generally available to all Company employees.
Employment Agreements
During 2024, the Company and the Bank were party to employment agreements with our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee and the Bank believe that the employment and change-in-control agreements are a critical tool in retaining our executive team. These agreements also include certain protections for the Company and the Bank in the form of post-employment restrictive covenants.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Zember. Effective December 20, 2022, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Zember, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. The amended and restated agreement amends and restates in its entirety the original employment agreement with Mr. Zember, dated February 19, 2020 (the “Original Employment Agreement”). The amended and restated employment agreement is substantially the same as the Original Employment Agreement, except as described herein. Pursuant to the amended and restated agreement, Mr. Zember’s base salary was set at $642,735 to align with his 2022 base salary, with eligibility for annual increases at the Compensation Committee’s discretion, and the Company committed to providing Mr. Zember life insurance in the amount of $5,000,000, with fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds directed to the Company and fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds directed to Mr. Zember’s designated beneficiary. The amended and restated agreement also provides that if Mr. Zember’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason following a change in control, then his performance-based equity awards will be deemed to have been earned as of his termination date based upon the actual level of achievement of all relevant performance goals measured as of the date of such termination.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Switzer. Effective January 10, 2021, the Company was party to an employment agreement with Mr. Switzer, pursuant to which Mr. Switzer serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank. The employment agreement has an initial two-year term that would expire on January 10, 2023, subject to automatic two-year renewals unless either party provided written notice of non-renewal no later than sixty days before any renewal date. Mr. Switzer’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary and eligibility for equity awards and annual bonuses and certain other benefits, and payment of private club dues. Mr. Switzer’s employment agreement also provided that any incentive compensation paid to Mr. Switzer, including both equity and cash incentive compensation, is subject to repayment or clawback as further described in the agreement.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Fulk. Effective October 25, 2023, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Fulk, pursuant to which Mr. Fulk serves as Executive Vice President of the Company and the Bank. The employment agreement has an initial two-year term that would expire on September 13, 2023, subject to automatic two-year renewals unless either party provided written notice of non-renewal no later than sixty days before any renewal date. Mr. Fulk’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary and eligibility for equity awards and annual bonuses and certain other benefits, and payment of private club dues. Mr. Fulk’s employment agreement also provided that any incentive compensation paid to Mr. Fulk, including both equity and cash incentive compensation, is subject to repayment or clawback as further described in the agreement.
*Employment Agreement with Ms. Gore.*Effective September 13, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Gore, pursuant to which Ms. Gore serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Company and the Bank. The employment agreement has an initial two-year term that would expire on September 13, 2023, subject to automatic two-year renewals unless either party provided written notice of non-renewal no later than sixty days before any renewal date. Ms. Gore’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary and eligibility for equity awards and annual bonuses and certain other benefits, and payment of private club dues. Ms. Gore’s employment agreement also provided that any incentive compensation paid to Ms. Gore, including both equity and cash incentive compensation, is subject to repayment or clawback as further described in the agreement.
Clawback Policy
We maintain a clawback policy (the “Clawback Policy”) that complies with the applicable NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In the event of a restatement of the reported financial results of the Company due to material non-compliance with financial reporting requirements, the Compensation Committee will recover reasonably promptly the amount of all erroneously awarded compensation received by a current or former executive officer during the covered period (within the meaning of such terms as provided in the NASDAQ listing standards).
Equity Grant Practices
The Compensation Committee does not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of equity awards. The Company has not timed the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation for NEO grants in fiscal year 2024.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review, has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Compensation Committee
John F. Biagas (Chairman)Robert Y. ClagettW. Rand Cook (ex-officio)F.L. Garrett III
The foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to be (i) “soliciting material” or “filed” or (ii) incorporated by reference by any general statement into any filing made by us with the SEC, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such report by reference.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Appropriate compensation is critical to attracting, retaining and motivating directors who have the qualities necessary to serve the Corporation as a director and who meet the guidelines set forth by our Governance Committee. The following discusses the Company’s approach to director compensation.
Stock Ownership Policy
In December of 2022, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for directors of the Company to further align the Board’s long-term interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Before their third anniversary as a board member, directors must own unencumbered shares with a minimum value equal to 100% of the average annual board compensation.
To encourage further stock ownership by its directors, the Bank maintains a stock matching program pursuant to which it funds the purchase of additional shares of Company common stock on behalf of a director in an amount equal to 125% of the shares of Company common stock otherwise purchased by the director, up to an annual value of $25,000 per director**.**
2024 Director Fees
In 2024, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors received an annual retainer of $30,000 and the chairman of each board committee received an additional annual retainer of $2,500, in each case payable quarterly. During 2024, all board meetings of the Company and the Bank were joint meetings, with the Chairman of the Board receiving $2,000 per meeting attended and each non-employee director receiving $1,000 per meeting attended. For special meetings of the Company and the Bank, all non-employee directors received $1,000 per meeting attended. For all committee meetings, the non-employee directors received $700 per meeting attended. Each non-employee director of the Bank and the Company also receives reimbursement for any travel, food and lodging expenses. Directors who are also employees of the Company or the Bank received no additional compensation for their service as a director.
2024 Director Compensation(1)
The following table contains information concerning the compensation of the directors of the Company and the Bank for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The named executive officers who also serve (or served) as directors did not receive any compensation for their service as directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Fees Earned or | | All Other | | |
| | | Paid in Cash | | Compensation | | |
| Name | ($) | ($)(2) | Total ($) | |||
| John F. Biagas | | 54,200 | | 25,000 | | 79,200 |
| Robert Y. Clagett | | 54,200 | | 25,000 | | 79,200 |
| W. Rand Cook | | 78,800 | | 25,000 | | 103,800 |
| Deborah B. Diaz | | 48,400 | | 25,000 | | 73,400 |
| John M. Eggemeyer | | 46,500 | | - | | 46,500 |
| F.L. Garrett, III | | 49,400 | | 25,000 | | 74,400 |
| Eric A. Johnson | | 47,700 | | 25,000 | | 72,700 |
| Allen R. Jones, Jr. | | 43,800 | | - | | 43,800 |
| Charles A. Kabbash | | 46,500 | | 25,000 | | 71,500 |
| (1) | Non-employee directors were not awarded stock options or stock awards in 2024. As of December 31, 2024, none our non-employee directors held any stock awards. |
| (2) | Represents the value of the shares of Company common stock purchased by the director for which the Bank provided funding pursuant to the Company’s stock matching program described above. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the compensation paid or accrued by the Company to or on behalf of the Company’s named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Change in · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Pension · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Value and · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · Non-equity · · Nonqualified · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · Incentive · · Deferred · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and · · · · · · · · · · Stock · · Plan · · Compensation · · All Other · · · | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal Position · Year · Salary ($) · Bonus ($) · Awards ($) (1) · Compensation ($) · Earnings ($) · Compensation ($) · Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | 2024 | | $718,176 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $70,263 | (2) | $788,439 | |||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | | 2023 | | | 672,194 | | | - | | | 459,000 | | | - | | | - | | | 65,500 | | | 1,196,693 |
| | | 2022 | | | 639,112 | | | - | | | 498,102 | | | 250,000 | | | - | | | 45,963 | | | 1,433,177 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Matthew A. Switzer | | 2024 | | | 357,528 | | | - | | | - | | | 25,253 | | | - | | | 28,529 | (3) | | 411,310 |
| Executive Vice President and | | 2023 | | | 328,750 | | | - | | | 102,000 | | | - | | | - | | | 26,716 | | | 457,466 |
| Chief Financial Officer | | 2022 | | | 312,500 | | | - | | | 106,470 | | | 100,000 | | | - | | | 28,261 | | | 547,231 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | 2024 | | | 322,825 | | | - | | | - | | | 40,937 | | | - | | | 21,878 | (4) | | 385,640 |
| Executive Vice President and | | 2023 | | | 256,667 | | | - | | | 102,000 | | | - | | | - | | | 15,345 | | | 374,011 |
| President of Primis Bank | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marie T. Leibson | | 2024 | | | 313,543 | | | - | | | - | | | 39,679 | | | - | | | 20,294 | (5) | | 373,516 |
| Executive Vice President and | | 2023 | | | 297,770 | | | - | | | 51,000 | | | - | | | - | | | 19,363 | | | 368,133 |
| Chief Credit Officer | | 2022 | | | 288,167 | | | - | | | 82,810 | | | 30,000 | | | - | | | 19,707 | | | 420,684 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | (6) | 2024 | | | $273,823 | | | - | | | - | | | 34,660 | | | - | | | 12,612 | (7) | | 321,095 |
| Executive Vice President and | | 2023 | | | 259,167 | | | - | | | 102,000 | | | - | | | - | | | 11,596 | | | 372,762 |
| Chief Marketing Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards and performance units awarded pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Plan in the applicable fiscal year, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. No options were granted in 2024, 2023 or 2022. No stock awards were granted in 2024. The grant date fair value of stock awards granted in 2023 and 2022 and the performance units granted in 2023 and 2022 were based on the fair market value of the stock on the grant date. The grant date fair value of the performance units granted in 2023 and 2022 was calculated using the target number of units granted, which is the target level of performance achievement under the 2023 and 2022 performance units. The grant date fair value of the performance units granted in 2023 assuming, instead, maximum level of performance achievement is as follows: Mr. Zember, $688,500; Mr. Switzer, $153,000; Mr. Fulk, $153,000; Ms. Leibson, $153,000; and Ms. Gore, $153,000. The grant date fair value of the performance units granted in 2022 assuming, instead, maximum level of performance achievement is as follows: Mr. Zember, $747,153; Mr. Switzer, $159,705; Ms. Leibson, $124,215; and Ms. Gore, $124,215. |
| (2) | The amount included as “All Other Compensation” for 2024 includes: (i) 401(k) matching contribution ($15,525), (ii) dividends on restricted stock ($2,000), (iii) matching contribution to a Health Savings Account ($1,000), (iv) reimbursement of club dues ($46,835), and (v) imputed income related to group term life insurance ($4,902). |
| (3) | The amount included as “All Other Compensation” for 2024 includes: (i) 401(k) matching contribution ($15,525), (ii) dividends on restricted stock ($1,995), (iii) matching contribution to a Health Savings Account ($1,000), (iv) reimbursement of club dues ($8,911), and (v) imputed income related to group term life insurance ($1,098). |
| (4) | The amount included as “All Other Compensation” for 2024 includes: (i) benefit from imputed income as a beneficiary of BOLI ($950), (ii) 401(k) matching contribution ($14,527), (iii) dividends on restricted stock ($200), (iv) reimbursement of club dues ($3,363), and imputed income related to group term life insurance ($2,838). |
| (5) | The amount included as “All Other Compensation” for 2024 includes (i) benefit from imputed income as a beneficiary of BOLI ($622), (ii) 401(k) matching contribution ($14,109), (iii) dividends on restricted stock ($730), (iv) matching contribution to a Health Savings Account ($500) and (v) imputed income related to group term life insurance ($4,332). |
| (6) | Ms. Gore was not a named executive officer in 2022. |
| (7) | The amount included as “All Other Compensation” for 2024 includes (i) 401(k) matching contribution ($9,621), (ii) dividends on restricted stock ($1,380), (iii) reimbursement of club dues ($1,503), and (iv) imputed income related to group term life insurance ($508). |
As described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data were restated as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, to correct the accounting for an agreement with a third-party that originates and services a consumer loan portfolio for the Company (the “Consumer Program”). The error corrections required a recovery analysis under the Clawback Policy, which was effective from and after October 2, 2023, in accordance with Section 5608 of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Clawback Policy was filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as Exhibit 97. In accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Clawback Policy only applies to incentive compensation received on or after October 2, 2023. Accordingly, any incentive compensation received prior to that date is not subject to recovery under the Clawback Policy.
The Compensation Committee concluded that recovery of compensation was not required pursuant to the Clawback Policy because none of the “incentive compensation” covered by the Clawback Policy that otherwise may have been impacted by the restatement has been paid or otherwise settled to the executive officers. The Compensation Committee eliminated short-term incentive payments for executive management for 2023. No amounts have been settled or otherwise paid with respect to the 2021 Performance Units, 2022 Performance Units and 2023 Performance Units because their respective performance periods have not yet concluded.
2024 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table contains information about the named executive officers’ grants plan-based awards during 2024, under the 2017 Plan. No equity awards were granted during 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · All Other · · Grant Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Stock Awards: · · Fair Value of | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Number of · · Stock and | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · Estimated Possible Payouts Under · · Estimated Possible Payouts Under · · Shares of · · Option | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ($) · · Equity Incentive Plan Awards (#) · · Stock or · · Awards ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name · Grant Date · Threshold · Target (1) · Maximum · Threshold · Target · Maximum · Units (#) · Target | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | | - | | - | | - | | $ | - | | $ | - |
| | | | | | - | | | 361,057 | | | 541,584 | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Matthew A. Switzer | | | | | - | | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | - | | | 108,009 | | | 162,014 | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | | | | - | | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | - | | | 97,470 | | | 146,205 | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marie T. Leibson | | | | | - | | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | - | | | 94,473 | | | 141,710 | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | | | | - | | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| | | | | | - | | | 82,524 | | | 123,786 | | - | | - | | - | | | - | | | - |
| (1) | Reflects target payout levels for Annual Incentive Award payments. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End
The following table contains information concerning the named executive officers’ outstanding stock options, stock awards and stock units as of December 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Option Awards · · Stock Awards · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · · · · Equity Incentive Plan Awards · · Number of · · Market Value · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Number of · · Number of · · · · · · · Number of · · Market or Payout · · Shares or · · of Shares · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Securities · · Securities · · · · · · · Unearned Shares, · · Value of Unearned · · Units of · · or Units · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Underlying · · Underlying · · Option · · · · Units, or Other · · Shares, Units, or · · Stock · · of Stock · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Unexercised · · Unexercised · · Exercise · · Option · · Rights That Have · · Other Rights That · · That Have · · That Have · | |||||||||||||||||||
| · · Options (#) · · Options (#) · · Price · · Expiration · · Not Vested · · Have Not Vested · · Not Vested · · Not Vested · | |||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable | ($) | Date | (#) | | ($) (1) | | (#) | ($) (1) | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | - | | - | | $ | - | | - | | - | $ | - | | 4,000 | | $46,640 | (2) | |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 42,105 | | 490,944 | | - | | | - | (3) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 42,105 | | 490,944 | | - | | | - | (4) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 45,000 | | 524,700 | | - | | | - | (5) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Matthew A. Switzer | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 3,200 | | | 37,312 | (6) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 1,300 | | | 15,158 | (7) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 3,250 | | 37,895 | | - | | | - | (3) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 9,000 | | 104,940 | | - | | | - | (4) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 10,000 | | 116,600 | | - | | | - | (5) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 400 | | | 4,664 | (8) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 10,000 | | 116,600 | | - | | | - | (5) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marie T. Leibson | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 800 | | | 9,328 | (8) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 600 | | | 6,996 | (7) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 1,500 | | 17,490 | | - | | | - | (3) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 7,000 | | 81,620 | | - | | | - | (4) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 5,000 | | 58,300 | | - | | | - | (5) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | - | | - | | 2,000 | | | 23,320 | (9) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 7,000 | | 81,620 | | - | | | - | (4) |
| | | - | | - | | | - | | - | | 10,000 | | 116,600 | | - | | | - | (5) |
| (1) | Market value is calculated based on $11.66, the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2024, the last trading day of 2024. |
| (2) | The restricted shares vested on February 19, 2025. |
| (3) | Reflects the 2021 performance units (at target) which are eligible to vest on March 15, 2026 based on the level of achievement of the Company’s adjusted EPS compound annual growth during the performance period commencing January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2025, and, in the case of Mr. Zember, subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Zember Performance Unit Amendment (the “2021 Performance Units”). |
| (4) | Reflects the 2022 performance units (at target) which are eligible to vest on March 15, 2027 based on the level of achievement of the Company’s adjusted EPS compound annual growth during the performance period commencing January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2026, and, in the case of Mr. Zember, subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Zember Performance Unit Amendment (the “2022 Performance Units”). |
| (5) | Reflects the 2023 performance units (at target) which are eligible to vest on March 15, 2028 based on the level of achievement of the Company’s adjusted EPS compound annual growth during the performance period commencing January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2027, and, in the case of Mr. Zember, subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Zember Performance Unit Amendment (the “2023 Performance Units”). |
| (6) | Half of the restricted shares vested on January 11, 2025 and half will vest on January 11, 2026. |
| (7) | The restricted shares vest in two approximately equal installments on September 1, 2025 and 2026. |
| (8) | The restricted shares vested on February 14, 2025. |
| (9) | The restricted shares vest in two approximately equal installments on each of September 13, 2025 and 2026. |
2024 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Option Awards · · Stock Awards | ||||||||||
| | | Number of | | | | | Number of | | | |
| · · Shares · · Value · · Shares · · Value | ||||||||||
| · · Acquired on · · Realized on · · Acquired on · · Realized on | ||||||||||
| · · Exercise · · Exercise · · Vesting · · Vesting | ||||||||||
| Name | (#) | ($) | (#) | ($) (1) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | - | | $ | - | | 4,000 | | $50,160 | |
| Matthew A. Switzer | | - | | | - | | 2,250 | | | 27,869 |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | - | | | - | | 800 | | | 5,315 |
| Marie T. Leibson | | - | | | - | | 1,900 | | | 23,503 |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | - | | | - | | 600 | | | 6,954 |
| (1) | Reflects the number of shares of stock vesting multiplied by the price per share of Company common stock on the vesting date. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Employment Agreement with Mr. Zember. On February 19, 2020, the Company and the Bank entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Zember, which agreement was amended and restated on December 20, 2022. If Mr. Zember resigns for good reason or if the Company terminates his employment without cause, then he is entitled to receive any accrued obligations under the employment agreement and, subject to his compliance with certain restrictive covenants and the execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release of claims:
| ● | a lump sum payment equal to three times the sum of (A) his base salary and (B) his highest cash bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year within the three most recently completed fiscal years immediately preceding the termination date, which amount shall be paid in cash on before the 60th day after the termination date, |
| ● | continuing health insurance benefits for himself and his covered spouse and dependents, with such premiums paid by the company, for eighteen months, |
| ● | any issued but unvested restricted stock, stock options, phantom stock or other long-term incentive will be deemed to be fully vested as of the date of termination, and |
| ● | if such termination follows a change in control, his performance-based equity awards will be deemed to have been earned as of his termination date based upon the actual level of achievement of all relevant performance goals measured as of the date of such termination, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment with respect to the performance units granted in 2021 and 2022. |
Employment Agreements with Ms. Gore and Messrs. Fulk and Switzer. On September 13, 2021, October 25, 2023 and January 10, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Gore, Mr. Fulk and Mr. Switzer, respectively. Pursuant to their employment agreements, if the executive resigns for good reason or the Company terminates his or her employment without cause, the executive is entitled to receive any accrued obligations under the employment agreement and, subject to the executive’s compliance with certain restrictive covenants and execution, delivery and non-revocation of a release of claims:
| ● | a lump sum payment equal to two times the sum of the executive’s (A) base salary and (B) highest cash bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year within the two most recently completed fiscal years immediately preceding |
the termination date (or if the termination occurs in within the first year of the employment period, 50% of base salary), which amount will be paid in cash on before the 60th day after the termination date,
| ● | a pro rata bonus payment based on actual performance for the year of termination; |
| ● | continuing health insurance benefits for himself and his covered spouse and dependents, with such premiums paid by the company, for eighteen months; and |
| ● | any issued but unvested restricted stock, stock options, phantom stock or other long-term incentive will be deemed to be fully vested as of the date of termination, |
Code Section 280G. Under the employment agreements with Messrs. Zember, Switzer and Fulk and Ms. Gore, if the payments and benefits under the employment agreement, together with other payments and benefits the executive may have the right to receive, on account of a change in control would exceed the maximum limit imposed on the total of such payments and benefits by Section 280G of the Code (without triggering the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code), the agreement provides for a comparison of two alternative scenarios for addressing Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code, and the application of the scenario that leaves the executive in the more favorable net after-tax position. Specifically, the executive will receive whichever of the following is more favorable to him or her on a net after-tax basis: (i) the payments and benefits reduced to the extent necessary so that none of the payments or benefits is subject to the excise tax or (ii) the full amount of the payments and benefits, which is subject to the excise tax, with the executive being responsible for paying any excise tax imposed.
Restrictive Covenants. Each employment agreement contains confidentiality provisions and covenants not to compete and not to solicit customers or employees that are in effect for 18 months after termination of employment.
Definitions. or purposes of the employment agreements:
| ● | the executive will generally have “good reason” to terminate his or her employment if the company negatively changes certain important aspects of the executive’s employment, including reducing the executive’s authority, responsibility or salary, removes the executive from his or her position, moves the executive’s principal office a material distance, reduces the executive’s fringe benefits, fails to comply with any material term of the agreement, fails to require any successor to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations under the agreement, or provides written notice of non-renewal of the initial term or any renewal term of the agreement; and |
| ● | termination for “cause” generally includes the executive’s willful misconduct, misappropriation or embezzlement of funds or property, fraud or dishonesty, failure to perform material duties or responsibilities or failure to follow reasonable instructions or policies, conviction of, indictment for or entry of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, breach of a material term of the agreement or material violation of applicable policies, codes and standards of behavior, willful violation of any final cease-and-desist order, breach of a fiduciary duty or conduct likely to result in material injury to the Company or the Bank. |
Treatment of Stock Awards upon a Change in Control
For stock awards granted under the 2017 Plan, in the event of a “change of control” (as defined in the 2017 Plan), the Compensation Committee may, as to any outstanding award, either at the time an award is made or any time thereafter, take any one or more of the following actions in its discretion and without the consent of the participant: (i) provide for acceleration of the vesting, delivery, and exercisability of, and the lapse of time-based and/or performance-based vesting restrictions with respect to, any award so that such award may be exercised or realized in full on or before a date initially fixed by the Compensation Committee; (ii) provide for the purchase, settlement, or cancellation of any award by the Company, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise of such award or realization of a participant’s rights had such award been currently exercisable or payable; (iii) provide for the replacement
of any stock-settled award with a cash-settled award; (iv) make such adjustment to any such award then outstanding as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to reflect such change of control and to retain the economic value of the award; or (v) cause any award then outstanding to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefor, by the acquiring or surviving corporation in such change of control.
Upon the occurrence of a change in control, any unvested shares of time-based restricted stock will become vested. The performance unit agreements provide that if there is a change of control prior to the last day of the performance period, then (i) if the units are not assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the change of control, then the target number of performance units will vest and convert to shares as of the date of the change of control; or (ii) if the units are assumed by the surviving entity or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with the change of control, then the target number of performance units will become fully vested if the grantee resigns for good reason or is terminated without cause within two years following the change in control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Zember’s amended and restated employment agreement provides that if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason following a change in control, then his performance units will be deemed to have been earned as of his termination date based upon the actual level of achievement of all relevant performance goals measured as of the date of such termination, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment.
Treatment of Awards upon Termination of Employment Without Cause, Death or Disability
Pursuant to the 2017 Plan, if the executive’s employment or service is terminated due to death or disability, any unvested shares of time-based restricted stock will become vested. With respect to the performance units granted in 2022 and 2021, if the executive’s employment with the Company terminates by reason of grantee’s death or disability at any time prior to the last day of the performance period, then a pro rata portion of the target award will vest and convert to shares of stock on the date of such termination, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment in the case of Mr. Zember. The performance unit agreements also provide that if the executive’s employment is terminated without cause at any time prior to the last day of the performance period, then the target number of units will vest and convert to shares on the date of such termination, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment in the case of Mr. Zember.
Summary of Potential Benefits. The tables below reflect estimates of the amount of compensation that would be payable to the named executive officers upon a qualifying termination under the agreements and plans described above on December 31, 2024. Actual amounts that would be paid out can only be determined at the time of such qualifying termination.
Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · · Health · · Value of · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||
| · · Cash · · Insurance · · Unvested · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||
| · · Severance · · Benefits · · Equity Awards · · Other · · Total | |||||||||||||||
| Name | ($) | ($) | ($) (1) | ($) | ($) | ||||||||||
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | | $2,916,338 | (2) | $27,630 | (3) | $1,553,229 | | $ | - | | $4,497,197 | ||||
| Matthew A. Switzer | | | 920,060 | (4) | | 27,630 | (3) | | 311,905 | | | - | | | 1,259,595 |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | | 649,800 | (4) | | 13,248 | (3) | | 121,264 | | | - | | | 784,312 |
| Marie T. Leibson | | | - | | | 13,248 | (3) | | 173,734 | | | - | | | 186,982 |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | | 619,480 | (4) | | - | | | 221,540 | | | - | | | 841,020 |
| (1) | Reflects the value of unvested performance units (at target) and restricted stock based on $11.66 per share as of December 31, 2024, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment in the case of Mr. Zember, and assumes, in the event of a change in control, that the awards were not assumed in connection with the transaction. |
| (2) | Reflects an amount equal to three (3) times the sum of executive’s base salary plus highest cash bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year within the three (3) most recently completed fiscal years. |
| (3) | Reflects the cost of continued payment of an amount equal to the employer-paid portion of the monthly medical premium for the participant and his or her covered spouse and dependents on the date of termination for eighteen (18) months. |
| (4) | Reflects an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of executive’s base salary plus highest cash bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year within the two (2) most recently completed fiscal years. |
Change in Control (without a termination of employment)
| | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · Value of · · · | |||||
| · Unvested · · · | |||||
| · Equity Awards · · Total | |||||
| Name | ($) (1) | ($) | |||
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | $1,553,229 | | $1,553,229 | ||
| Matthew A. Switzer | | 311,905 | | | 311,905 |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | 121,264 | | | 121,264 |
| Marie T. Leibson | | 173,734 | | | 173,734 |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | 221,540 | | | 221,540 |
| | | | | | |
| Death or Disability | | | | | |
| | Value of | | | | |
| | Unvested | | | | |
| | Equity Awards | | Total | ||
| Name | ($) (2) | ($) | |||
| Dennis J. Zember, Jr. | $599,771 | | $599,771 | ||
| Matthew A. Switzer | | 104,124 | | | 104,124 |
| Rickey A. Fulk | | 20,794 | | | 20,794 |
| Marie T. Leibson | | 57,911 | | | 57,911 |
| Ann-Stanton C. Gore | | 58,106 | | | 58,106 |
| (1) | Reflects the value of unvested performance units (at target) and restricted stock based on $11.66 per share as of December 31, 2024, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment in the case of Mr. Zember, and assumes that the awards were not assumed in connection with the transaction. |
| (2) | Reflects the value of unvested performance units (prorated at target) and restricted stock based on $11.66 per share as of December 31, 2024, subject to the Zember Performance Unit Amendment in the case of Mr. Zember. |
CEO PAY RATIO
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of our CEO. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. Given the different methodologies that various public companies will use to determine an estimate of their pay ratio, the estimated ratio reported below should not be used as a basis for comparison between companies.
For 2024, our last completed fiscal year, the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than our CEO) was $57,831 and the annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, was $788,439. Based on this information, for 2024, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 13.6 to 1.
To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustment and estimates that we used were as follows:
| ● | We selected December 31, 2024 as the date upon which we would identify the “median employee.” As of December 31, 2024, we had 575 employees working at the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. |
| ● | We used taxable income as reported on Form W-2 as our consistently applied compensation measure, with the measurement period being calendar year 2024. |
| ● | We determined that the “median employee” was a full-time, salaried employee located in the United States, with total compensation for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2024 in the amount of $57,831. |
| ● | With respect to the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” we identified and calculated the elements of such employee’s compensation for 2023 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. |
| ● | The annual total compensation of our CEO was $788,439, which is the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2024 Summary Compensation Table included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2024, no executive officer of the Company served as (1) a member of a compensation committee (or other Board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire Board of Directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Company’s Compensation Committee, (2) a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Company’s Compensation Committee or (3) a member of the compensation committee (or other Board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire Board of Directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company. In addition, none of the members of the Compensation Committee (a) was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in 2024; (b) was formerly an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (c) had any relationship that required disclosure under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.