UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 1, 2019

 

THE COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 001-36094 52-1652138
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(301) 645-5601

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

(e)        On April 1, 2019, Community Bank of the Chesapeake (the “Bank”), the wholly owned subsidiary of The Community Financial Corporation, and The Community Financial Corporation (the “Company”) entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Christy Lombardi, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank and the Company (the “Agreement”) which restates in its entirety the employment agreement Ms. Lombardi previously maintained with the Bank and the Company.

 

The Agreement reflects Ms. Lombardi’s new position with the Bank and the Company (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer) and annual base salary ($275,000) as of April 1, 2019. All other terms of the Ms. Lombardi’s prior employment agreement remain in full force and effect and are summarized below.

 

In addition, in connection with the retirement of James F. Di Misa as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank effective March 31, 2019, the Bank entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Di Misa effective April 1, 2019 (the “Consulting Agreement”). The terms of the Consulting Agreement are summarized below.

 

Lombardi Employment Agreement

 

The Agreement describes the terms and conditions of Ms. Lombardi’s employment with the Bank and the Company, including annual base compensation, eligibility for incentive compensation and other compensatory benefits and severance arrangements.

 

Under the Agreement, if Ms. Lombardi s employment is terminated for Cause, she will receive only her base salary or other compensation earned through the date of termination and any other compensation or vested benefits provided under applicable Bank plans or programs. All other obligations of the Bank terminate on the date of termination.

 

In the event Ms. Lombardi s employment is terminated without Cause (as defined in the Agreement), she will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times her base salary and two times her most recent annual incentive compensation payment. Ms. Lombardi would also receive an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that she would be required to pay to continue the benefits in effect as of her termination date under the Bank s medical, dental and life insurance plans, multiplied by 36.

 

Upon voluntary termination of employment, Ms. Lombardi would receive accrued and earned base salary and other compensation and benefits provided under the Bank s benefit plans and programs as of the date of termination.

 

The employment agreement also provides Ms. Lombardi with death and disability benefits, as well as a severance payment in the event her employment is terminated without cause or without her consent for a reason other than cause within 12 months after a change in control (as defined in the Agreement). The change in control severance benefit is equal to two times Ms. Lombardi s base salary at the rate in effect on the date of her termination of employment and two times her most recent annual incentive compensation payment, plus an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that she would be required to pay to continue the benefits in effect as of her termination date under the Bank s medical, dental and life insurance plans, multiplied by 36, subject to the application of the net best benefit approach to Ms. Lombardi s change in control severance payments and benefits.

 

 

 

 

         The foregoing description is a summary and it is qualified in its entirety by the Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Di Misa Consulting Agreement

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Di Misa shall provide the Bank with consulting services (as described in the Consulting Agreement) for a period of nine consecutive months, in exchange for which Mr. Di Misa will receive $140,000 in cash compensation. Compensation will be paid to Mr. Di Misa in equal monthly installments in arrears over the consulting period. Either the Bank or Mr. Di Misa may terminate the Consulting Agreement at any time for any reason (or no reason) by providing the other party with 30 days’ advance written notice of such termination, in which case the Bank shall pay Mr. Di Misa any unpaid consulting fees for consulting services rendered through the date of termination.

 

The foregoing description is a summary and it is qualified in its entirety by the Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

  2  

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Number Description
    
10.1 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Community Back of the Chesapeake and Christy Lombardi and The Community Financial Corporation solely as guarantor, dated April 1, 2019.
   
10.2 Consulting Agreement by and between Community Bank of the Chesapeake and James F. Di Misa, dated April 1, 2019.
   

 

 

  3  

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  THE COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
  ( Registrant )
   
   
Date:  April 5, 2019 By:  /s/ William J. Pasenelli
    William J. Pasenelli
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

  4  

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT originally entered into on April 30, 2018 by and between COMMUNITY BANK OF THE CHESAPEAKE , with its principal place of business at 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 (the “Bank”), CHRISTY LOMBARDI (the “Employee”), and THE COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION (the “Company”), solely as guarantor of the Bank’s obligations hereunder, is hereby amended and restated in its entirety (the “Agreement”) effective as of April 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire by this writing to set forth the continuing employment relationship between the Bank and the Employee and reflect the Employee’s new position as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank effective April 1, 2019; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement shall supersede any and all prior employment agreements, by and between the Bank and the Employee, and any amendments thereto.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Bank and the Employee hereby agree as follows:

 

1.       EMPLOYMENT. The Employee shall serve the Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank and the Company. In such employment positions, the Employee shall have the duties, responsibilities, functions and authority determined and designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “Board”) and the Chief Executive Officer. The Employee shall render such administrative and management services to the Bank, the Company and their respective affiliates as are customarily performed by persons in a similar executive capacity.

 

2.       EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM. The term of the Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and end on the day before the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless otherwise extended as described below (the “Term”). The parties intend that, at any point in time during the Employee’s employment hereunder, the then-remaining Term shall be three (3) years. On the day after the Effective Date and on each day thereafter, the Term shall extend by one day, so that, on any date, the Term will expire on the day before the third (3rd) anniversary of such date. These extensions shall continue unless (a) the Bank notifies the Employee that it has elected to discontinue the extensions; (b) the Employee notifies the Bank of her election to discontinue the extensions; or (c) the Employee’s employment with the Bank is terminated, whether by resignation, discharge or otherwise. On the earlier of (i) the date on which such notice is given; or (ii) the effective date of a termination of employment with the Bank, the Term will convert to a fixed period of three (3) years ending on the day before the third (3rd) anniversary of such date (provided, however, that subject to any rights of the Employee under this Agreement, the Term shall end on such earlier date as may be specifically provided in this Agreement in the event of the Employee’s death, voluntary termination, Disability or termination for Cause). The last day of the Term, as extended in accordance with this Section 2, is referred to in this Agreement as the “Expiration Date”.

 

 

 

 

3.       COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

 

3.1       BASE SALARY. During the Term, the Bank agrees to pay the Employee base salary at the rate of $275,000 per annum, subject to increase from time to time in accordance with the usual practices of the Bank with respect to its review of compensation for senior executives. Any increase in the Employee’s base salary shall become the “base salary” for purposes of this Agreement. The Employee’s base salary shall be payable in periodic installments in accordance with the Bank’s usual practice.

 

3.2       EMPLOYEE BENEFITS . The Employee shall also be eligible to participate in any and all employee benefit plans, medical insurance plans, disability income plans, retirement plans, bonus incentive plans and other benefit plans from time to time in effect for senior executives of the Bank. Such participation shall be subject to (a) the terms of the applicable plan documents, (b) generally applicable policies of the Bank and (c) the discretion of the Board or any administrative or other committee provided for in, or contemplated by, such plans.

 

3.3       INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. The Employee shall be eligible to participate in any incentive compensation or bonus programs sponsored by the Bank on such terms as the Board may establish for the Employee’s participation.

 

3.4       BUSINESS EXPENSES. The Bank shall pay, or reimburse, the Employee for reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by the Employee in the performance of the Employee’s duties and responsibilities, subject to such reasonable requirements with respect to substantiation and documentation as may be specified by the Bank.

 

3.5       LEAVE . The Employee shall be eligible to leave (vacation, sick and personal) in accordance with the Bank’s standard policies for senior executives. Further, the Board, in its discretion, may grant to the Employee a leave or leaves of absence, with or without pay, at such time or times and upon such terms and conditions as the Board, in its discretion, may determine.

 

3.6       OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any compensatory plans, arrangements or programs the Bank makes available to its senior executive officers, including, but not limited to, stock compensation programs, supplemental retirement arrangements, or executive health or life insurance programs, subject to, and on a basis consistent with, the terms and conditions of such plans, arrangements or programs.

 

3.7       GENERAL. The Employee’s participation in any plans, arrangements or programs currently in effect or made available in the future shall not be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which the Employee is entitled as described under this Agreement.

 

4.       EXTENT OF SERVICE. During the Term, the Employee shall devote his full time, best efforts and business judgment, skills and knowledge to the advancement of the Bank’s interests and to the discharge of her responsibilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Employee may:

 

  2  

 

 

(a)       invest personal assets in such form or manner as shall not require any material services on the Employee’s part in the operations or affairs of the entities in which such investments are made, provided that the Employee may not own any interest in an entity that competes with the Bank or any affiliate (other than up to 4.9% of the outstanding voting stock of such entity that is a publicly-traded entity); or

 

(b)       serve on the board of directors of any company not in competition with the Bank or any affiliate, provided that the Employee shall not render any material services with respect to the operations or affairs of any such company; or

 

(c)       engage in religious, charitable or other community or non-profit activities which do not impair the Employee’s ability to fulfill her duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.

 

5.       DEATH. In the event of the Employee’s death during the Term, the Employee’s employment (and the Term) shall terminate on the date of death. The Bank shall pay to the Employee’s beneficiary, or estate, (a) any compensation due the Employee through the last day of the calendar month in which death occurred, plus (b) any other compensation or benefits as may be provided in accordance with the terms and provisions of any applicable plans and programs of the Bank in which the Employee participated as of the date of death.

 

6. DISCHARGE FOR CAUSE.

 

6.1       NOTICE AND DETERMINATION OF CAUSE . The Bank may terminate the Employee’s employment at any time during the Term for “Cause”, as defined below. A termination for Cause shall be deemed to have occurred only if:

 

(a)       The Board, by a separate affirmative vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership, determines that the Employee has: (i) engaged in acts of personal dishonesty which have resulted in loss to the Bank or one of its affiliates; (ii) intentionally failed to perform stated duties; (iii) committed a willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses); (iv) become subject to the entry of a final cease and desist order which results in substantial loss to the Bank or one of its affiliates; (v) been convicted of a crime or act involving moral turpitude; (vi) willfully breached the Bank’s or the Company’s code of conduct and business ethics; (vii) been disqualified or barred by any governmental or self-regulatory authority from serving in the Employee’s then-current employment capacity or (viii) willfully attempted to obstruct or failed to cooperate with any investigation authorized by the Board or any governmental or self-regulatory entity. No act or failure to act on the part of the Employee shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Employee in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Employee’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Bank. Any act or failure to act that is based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, or upon the advice of legal counsel for the Bank, shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Employee in good faith and in the best interests of the Bank and its affiliates; and

 

  3  

 

 

(b)       At least ten (10) days prior to the vote contemplated by Section 6.1(a), the Bank has provided the Employee with notice of its intent to discharge the Employee for Cause, detailing with particularity the facts and circumstances which are alleged to constitute Cause (a “Notice of Intent to Discharge”); and

 

(c)       After giving the Employee Notice of Intent to Discharge and before taking the vote contemplated by Section 6.1(a), the Employee is afforded a reasonable opportunity to make both written and oral presentations before the Board for the purpose of refuting the alleged grounds for Cause for discharge; and

 

(d)       After the vote contemplated by Section 6.1(a), the Bank has furnished to the Employee a notice of termination which specifies the effective date of the Employee’s termination of employment (which shall not be earlier than the date on which such notice is deemed given), and include a copy of a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors authorizing the termination of the Employee for Cause and stating with particularity the facts and circumstances found to constitute Cause for discharge (the “Final Discharge Notice”).

 

6.2       SUSPENSION; FINAL DISCHARGE. Following the provision of Notice of Intent to Discharge, the Bank may temporarily suspend the Employee’s duties and authority and, in such event, may also suspend the payment of salary and other cash compensation (but not participation in retirement, insurance and other employee benefit plans). If the Employee is discharged for Cause, all payments withheld during the suspension period shall be deemed forfeited and shall not be payable to the Employee. If the Bank does not give a Final Discharge Notice to the Employee within one hundred and twenty (120) days after giving the Notice of Intent to Discharge to the Employee, the Notice of Intent to Discharge shall be deemed withdrawn and any future action to discharge the Employee for Cause shall require the Bank to give the Employee a new Notice of Intent to Discharge.

 

6.3       EFFECT OF TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the event of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to this Section 6, the Term shall end and the Bank shall pay to the Employee an amount equal to the sum of (a) base salary or other compensation earned through the date of her termination of employment, plus (b) any other compensation or vested benefits as may be provided in accordance with the terms and provisions of any applicable plans and programs of the Bank. All other obligations of the Bank shall terminate as of the date of Employee’s termination of employment.

 

7.       DISABILITY. The Bank may terminate the Employee’s employment (and the Term) after having established the Employee’s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity that impairs the Employee’s ability to substantially perform her duties under this Agreement and results in the Employee becoming eligible for long-term disability benefits under the Bank’s long-term disability plan (or, if the Bank has no such plan in effect, that impairs the Employee’s ability to substantially perform her full-time duties under this Agreement for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days). The Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for (a) any period during the Term and prior to the establishment of the Employee’s Disability during which the Employee is unable to work due to physical or mental infirmity, and (b) any period of Disability which is prior to the Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7.

 

  4  

 

 

8.       TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE . The Board may, by written notice to the Employee, immediately terminate her employment at any time for a reason other than Cause, in which event the Employee shall be entitled to receive the termination payment set forth in Section 10.2 of this Agreement (without regard to whether a Change in Control has occurred), payable in one lump sum within ten (10) days of termination of employment. The Bank shall also continue to provide the Employee with benefit continuation as set forth in Section 10.3 of this Agreement.

 

9.       VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE. Subject to Section 11 hereof, Employee may voluntarily terminate her employment with the Bank during the Term, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice, in which case the Term shall end and the Bank shall pay to the Employee an amount equal to the (a) base salary or other compensation earned through the date of her termination of employment, plus (b) any other compensation and benefits as may be provided in accordance with the terms and provisions of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Bank.

 

10.       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

10.1 DEFINITION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)       individuals who, on the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least half of the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to such time, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board of Directors of the Company (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board of Directors of the Company shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

 

(b)       any “person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (b) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control by virtue of any of the following acquisitions: (A) by the Company or any subsidiary, (B) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary, (C) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (D) a transaction (other than one described in (c) below) in which Company Voting Securities are acquired from the Company, if a majority of the Incumbent Directors approve a resolution providing expressly that the acquisition pursuant to this clause (D) does not constitute a Change in Control under this paragraph (b);

 

  5  

 

 

(c)       the consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a “Business Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (A) at least 50% of the total voting power of (x) the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Corporation”), or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the “Parent Corporation”), is represented by the Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among (and only among) the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination, (B) no person (other than any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) and (C) at least 50% of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Company Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination; or

 

(d)       the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 25% of Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall then occur.

 

  6  

 

 

10.2       TERMINATION PAYMENT. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if during the Term the Bank (i) terminates Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement (without regard to whether a Change in Control has occurred) or (ii) terminates Employee’s employment under this Agreement without the Employee’s prior written consent and for a reason other than Cause, in connection with or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, then Employee shall be paid an unreduced lump sum severance benefit equal to the sum of the following items:

 

(a)        Two (2) times the Employee’s annual base salary (as provided for in Section 3 of this Agreement) at the rate in effect on the date of the Employee’s termination of employment (including any amount contributed by the Bank on the Employee’s behalf pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which is not included in the Employee’s gross income under Sections 125, 132(f) or 402(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended); and

 

(b)        Two (2) times the most recent annual incentive compensation payment made to the Employee (as provided for in Section 3 of this Agreement).

 

The severance benefit payment under this Section 10.2 shall be made to the Employee in one lump sum within ten (10) days of the Employee’s termination of employment.

 

10.3       BENEFIT CONTINUATION . In addition to the payment provided in Section 10.2, the Employee will also be paid, in a lump sum within 10 days of the Employee’s termination of employment, an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Employee would be required to pay to continue the benefits the Employee has in effect as of her termination date under the Company’s or the Bank’s medical, dental and life insurance plans, multiplied by 36.

 

10.4       OTHER TERMINATION. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Employee may voluntarily terminate employment under this Agreement within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control of the Bank or Company, and the Employee shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefit continuation described in Sections 10.2 and 10.3 of this Agreement, upon the occurrence of any of the following events, or within ninety (90) days thereafter, which have not been consented to in advance by the Employee in writing: (a) the requirement that the Employee move her primary personal residence, or perform the Employee’s principal executive functions more than forty (40) miles from the Employee’s primary office as of the date of the Change in Control or, to a County other than Charles, Calvert, Saint Mary’s, Prince George’s or Anne Arundel Counties in the State of Maryland as of the date of the Change in Control; (b) a reduction of ten percent (10.00%) or more in the Employee’s base compensation as in effect on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time; (c) the failure of the Bank to continue to provide the Employee with compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement, as the same may be increased from time to time, or with benefits substantially similar to those provided under any of the employee benefit plans in which the Employee now or hereafter becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Bank which would directly or indirectly reduce any such benefits or deprive the Employee of any material fringe benefit provided by the Bank at the time of the Change in Control; (d) the assignment to the Employee of duties and responsibilities materially different from those normally associated with the Employee’s position as referenced in Section l; (e) a failure to elect or re-elect the Employee to the Company Board of Directors if Employee is serving on the Company Board of Directors as of the date of the Change in Control; (f) a material diminution or reduction in the Employee’s responsibilities or authority (including reporting responsibilities) in connection with her employment with the Bank and the Company; or (g) the Company or Bank materially reduce the Employee’s incentive compensation opportunities and employee benefits to a level that is less than is provided to other employees of comparable rank within the Company or Bank.

 

  7  

 

 

11.       CHANGE IN CONTROL BEST PAYMENTS DETERMINATION.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if payments made or benefits provided pursuant to Sections 10.2 and 10.3 of the Agreement or otherwise from the Bank, the Company or any affiliate of the Bank or the Company are considered “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (such payments hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), then such payments or benefits shall be reduced to the greatest amount that may be paid to the Employee under Section 280G of the Code without causing any loss of deduction to the Company or its affiliates under such section (hereinafter referred to as the “Reduced Payments”), however, the payments or benefits shall not be reduced if the net after tax benefit to the Employee of receiving the Total Payments exceeds the net after tax benefit of receiving the Reduced Payments by at least $50,000. “ Net after tax benefit ” for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the sum of the present value of (i) the Total Payments or Reduced Payments (as applicable) less (ii) the amount of federal, state and local income and payroll taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal tax rates expected for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to Employee (based upon the rates in effect as set forth in the Code and under state and local laws at the time of termination of Employee’s employment with the Bank), less (iii) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described in (i) above by Section 4999 of the Code. The determination as to whether and to what extent payments are required to be reduced in accordance with this Section 11 shall be made at the Bank’s expense by an accounting firm, consulting firm, or law firm experienced in such matters. Any reduction in payments required by this Section 11 shall occur in the following order: (i) any cash severance, (ii) any other cash amount payable to Employee and treated entirely as a “parachute payment”, (iii) any benefit valued entirely as a “parachute payment,” (iv) the acceleration of vesting of any equity award that is treated entirely as a “parachute payment”, (v) the acceleration of vesting of any equity awards that are time-vested options, and (vi) the acceleration of vesting of any other time-vested equity awards. Within any such category of payments and benefits, a reduction shall occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are. In the event that acceleration of compensation from equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.

 

12.       NO MITIGATION . In the event of any termination of employment under this Agreement, the Employee shall be under no obligation to seek other employment or to otherwise mitigate damages, and there shall be no offset against any amounts due to the Employee under this Agreement for any reason, including, without limitation, on account of any remuneration attributable to subsequent employment. Any amounts due under this Agreement are in the nature of severance payments or liquidated damages, or both, and are not in the nature of a penalty.

 

  8  

 

 

13.       MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

 

13.1       CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS. The Employee hereby represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement and the performance of the Employee’s obligations hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement to which the Employee is a party or is bound, and that the Employee is not now subject to any covenants against competition or similar covenants which would affect the performance of the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

13.2       WITHHOLDING. All payments made under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld under applicable law.

 

13.3       ARBITRATION. The Bank and the Employee agree that any claim, dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, any such claim, dispute or controversy arising under any federal, state or local statute, regulation or ordinance or any of the Bank’s employee benefit plans, policies or programs) shall be resolved solely and exclusively by binding arbitration. The arbitration shall be held in the County of Charles, Maryland (or at such other location as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties). The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in effect at the time of the arbitration, except that the arbitrator shall be selected by alternatively striking from a list of five arbitrators supplied by the AAA. All fees and expenses of the arbitration, excluding a transcript, shall be borne equally by the parties. Each party will pay for the fees and expenses of its own attorneys, experts, witnesses, and preparation and presentation of proofs and post-hearing briefs (unless the Employee prevails on a claim for which attorney’s fees are recoverable under the Agreement). Any action to enforce or vacate the arbitrator’s award shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, if applicable, and otherwise by applicable state law. If either the Bank or the Employee pursues any claim, dispute or controversy against the other in a legal proceeding, other than the arbitration provided for herein, the responding party shall be entitled to dismissal or injunctive relief regarding such action and recovery of all costs, losses and attorneys’ fees related to such action. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction, whether or not the case is then pending before the panel of arbitrators. Following the court’s determination of the injunction issue, the case shall continue in arbitration as provided herein.

 

13.4       INDEMNIFICATION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES. In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with the Employee’s termination of employment or this Agreement is resolved in favor of the Employee, whether by judgment, arbitration or settlement, the Employee shall be entitled to the payment of: (i) all legal fees and expenses incurred by the Employee in resolving such dispute or controversy, and (ii) any back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation, fringe benefits and any compensation and benefits due to the Employee under this Agreement.

 

13.5       ASSIGNMENT; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, ETC.

 

(a)       This Agreement is personal to the Employee and shall not be assignable by the Employee without the prior written consent of the Bank, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee’s legal representatives.

 

  9  

 

 

(b)       This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Bank and its successors and permitted assigns.

 

(c)       The Bank may not assign this Agreement or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Employee and, without such consent, any attempted transfer or assignment shall be null and void and of no effect; provided, however, that the Bank shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Bank expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “the Bank” shall mean both the Bank and the Company, as defined above, and any successor that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

13.6       ENFORCEABILITY. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

13.7       REDUCTIONS; REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any and all payments and benefits to be provided to the Employee under this Agreement are subject to reduction to the extent required by applicable statutes, regulations, rules and directives of federal, state and other governmental and regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the Bank and its affiliates. The Employee is aware and acknowledges that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has the power to preclude the Bank or its affiliates from making payments to the Employee under this Agreement under certain circumstances. The Employee agrees that neither the Bank nor its affiliates shall be deemed to be in breach of this Agreement if it is precluded from making a payment otherwise payable hereunder by reason of regulatory requirements binding on the Bank or its affiliates, as the case may be.

 

13.8       WAIVER. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

 

  10  

 

 

13.9       NOTICES. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the Employee at the Employee’s last known address on the books of the Bank or, in the case of the Bank, at its main office, attention of the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Directors.

 

13.10       AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Employee and a duly authorized representative of the Bank.

 

13.11       NO EFFECT ON LENGTH OF SERVICE. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank from terminating the Employee’s employment before the end of the Term with or without notice for any reason. This Agreement shall determine the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Employee in the event of any such termination. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall require the termination of the Employee’s employment at the expiration of the Term. Any continuation of the Employee’s employment beyond the expiration of the Term shall be on an “at-will” basis, unless the parties agree otherwise.

 

13.12 SOURCE OF PAYMENTS . The Bank shall make in a timely manner all payments provided for under this Agreement in cash or check from its general funds. The Company, however, unconditionally guarantees payment and the provision of all amounts and benefits due to the Employee under this Agreement. If the Bank does not timely pay or provide such amounts and benefits, the Company shall pay or provide such amounts and benefits.

 

13.13       ENTIRE AGREEMENT; EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations, prior draft agreements, and discussions of the parties, whether oral or written.

 

13.14       COUNTERPARTS AND FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures.

 

13.15       GOVERNING LAW. This is a Maryland contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles.

 

13.16       NOT CONTRIVED AGAINST DRAFTER. This Agreement has been negotiated and prepared by the parties and their respective legal counsel, and no provision of this Agreement shall be construed more strictly against one party as the drafter.

 

14.       EFFECT OF CODE SECTION 409A.

 

14.1        This Agreement will be construed and administered to preserve the exemption from Section 409A of the Code of payments that qualify as a short-term deferral or that qualify for the two-times separation pay exception. With respect to any amount that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it is intended, and this Agreement will be so construed, that any such amount payable under this Agreement and the Company’s, Bank’s or Employee’s exercise of authority or discretion hereunder shall comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the treasury regulations relating thereto (“Section 409A”) so as not to subject Employee to the payment of interest and additional tax that may be imposed under Section 409A. Solely as necessary to comply with Section 409A, for purposes of this Agreement , “termination of employment” or “employment termination” or similar terms shall have the same meaning as “separation from service” under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. If a payment is not made by the designated payment date under this Agreement, the payment shall be made by December 31 of the calendar year in which the designated date occurs. If the time period for making any payment commences in one calendar year and ends in the succeeding calendar year, then the payment shall not be paid (or commence) until the succeeding calendar year, and in no event shall the Employee, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment.

 

  11  

 

 

14.2        If Employee is a “specified employee” on Employee’s separation from service, any payment that is subject to Section 409A and that is payable to Employee in connection with Employee’s separation from service, shall not be paid earlier than six months after such separation from service, and to the extent any such payment is delayed, will be paid, without interest, on the first payroll date after the expiration of such six-month period (if Employee dies after the date of Employee’s separation from service but before any payment has been made, such remaining payments that were or could have been delayed will be paid to Employee’s estate without regard to such six-month delay).

 

14.3        References in this Agreement to Section 409A of the Code include rules, regulations, and guidance of general application issued by the Department of the Treasury under Internal Revenue Section 409A.

 

14.4        To the extent that any payment of or reimbursement by Bank to the Employee of eligible expenses under this Agreement constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Reimbursement”) (i) the Employee must request the Reimbursement (with substantiation of the expense incurred) no later than 90 days following the date on which the Employee incurs the corresponding eligible expense; (ii) subject to any shorter time period provided in any Company expense reimbursement policy or specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, the Company shall make the Reimbursement to the Employee on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Employee incurred the eligible expense; (iii) the Employee’s right to Reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; (iv) the amount eligible for Reimbursement in one calendar year shall not affect the amount eligible for Reimbursement in any other calendar year; and (v) except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, the period during which the Employee may incur expenses that are eligible for Reimbursement is limited to five calendar years following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.

 

  12  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above the written.

  

ATTEST:   COMMUNITY BANK OF THE CHESAPEAKE
     
     
/s/ Marlene Smith   /s/ William J. Pasenelli
    Chief Executive Officer
     
     
ATTEST:   THE COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION (As Guarantor)
     
     
/s/ Marlene Smith   /s/ William J. Pasenelli
    Chief Executive Officer
     
     
WITNESS:   EMPLOYEE:
     
     
/s/ Marlene Smith   /s/ Christy Lombardi
    Christy Lombardi

 

 

 

 

  13  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION COPY

Consulting AGREEMENT

 

This Consulting Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into and effective as of April 1, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between the Community Bank of the Chesapeake (the “ Bank ”), and James F. Di Misa, an individual (“ Consultant ”) (each herein referred to individually as a “ Party ,” or collectively as the “ Parties ”).

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to retain Consultant as an independent contractor to perform consulting services for the Bank, and Consultant is willing to perform such services, on the terms described in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Consulting Period and Services

 

(a)        Consulting Period . Consultant shall provide consulting services (as defined below) for a period of nine (9) consecutive months commencing on the Effective Date, unless the time period is extended in accordance with this Section 1 or earlier terminated in accordance with Section 3 (the “ Consulting Period ”).

 

(b)        Services . During the Consulting Period, Consultant shall provide the consulting services set forth on Exhibit A (“Consulting Services”). The Consulting Services shall be performed at such times and in such locations as shall be mutually agreed between the Parties. The Bank shall not expect or require Consultant to perform Consulting Services for any period that would equal or exceed 20% of the average level of bona fide services performed by Consultant for the Bank (whether as an employee or independent contractor) over the 36-month period immediately preceding the Effective Date.

 

Section 2. Consulting Fees/Reimbursements

 

(a)        Consulting Fees . In consideration for providing the Consulting Services, Consultant shall receive an amount in cash equal to $140,000 , which shall be payable to Consultant in equal monthly installments in arrears over the Consulting Period, subject to Consultant’s continued compliance with this Agreement (the “ Consulting Fees ”).

 

(b)        Expenses . The Bank shall reimburse Consultant pursuant to the Bank’s reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time for senior Consultants for reasonable business expenses incurred by Consultant in connection with the performance of the Services.

 

(c)         No Benefits . Consultant acknowledges and agrees that he shall not be entitled to participate in any benefit plans of the Bank or its affiliates as a consultant.

 

(d)        Status as a Non-Employee . The Bank and Consultant acknowledge and agree that, in performing the Consultant Services pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall be acting and shall act at all times as an independent contractor only and not as an employee, agent, partner, or joint venturer of the Bank or its affiliates. Consultant acknowledges that he is and shall be solely responsible for the payment of all federal, state, and local taxes that are required by applicable laws or regulations to be paid with respect to his Consulting Fees.

 

 

 

 

 

Section 3. Termination of Consulting Period

 

(a)        Termination . Either the Bank or Consultant may terminate the Consulting Period at any time and for any reason (or no reason) by providing the other party with 30 days’ advance written notice of such termination.

 

(b)        Payments upon Termination . Upon termination of the Consulting Period for any reason, the Bank shall pay to Consultant any unpaid Consulting Fees for Consulting Services rendered through the date of termination (which such fees shall be pro-rated to the extent such termination is effective at a date other than the last day of a month).

 

Section 4. Confidential Information

 

Consultant acknowledges that in the course of Consultant’s employment with, service to and involvement with Bank and its affiliates, Consultant has obtained or may obtain secret or confidential information, knowledge or data concerning the Bank and its affiliates’ businesses, strategies, operations, clients, customers, prospects, financial affairs, organizational and personnel matters, policies, procedures and other nonpublic matters, or concerning those of third parties. Consultant shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Bank and its affiliates all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Bank and its affiliates, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by Consultant during Consultant’s employment by the Bank, service of the Board of Directors of the Bank or The Community Financial Corporation (the “Company”) Board of Directors or any of its affiliates and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by Consultant or representatives of Consultant in violation of this Agreement). Consultant shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Bank and those designated by it.

 

Section 5. Remedies

 

In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Consultant of Section 4, Consultant hereby consents and agrees that the Bank shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, specific performance, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 6(d). The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief (including, without limitation, recoupment or clawback of any previously paid portion of the Consulting Fees and termination of the Bank’s obligation to pay any unpaid portion of the Consulting Fees). If any of the covenants set forth in Section 4 is finally held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (whether in whole or in part), such covenant shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability and the remaining covenants shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 6. Miscellaneous

 

(a)        Non-Assignability . This Agreement may not be assigned by Consultant.

 

(b)        Binding on Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and bind the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.

 

 

 

 

(c)        Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire and complete agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous arrangements, agreements or understandings among the parties, written or oral, express or implied, that may have related to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed by the parties.

 

(d)        Governing Law . This Agreement shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced, and governed under the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

 

(e)        Notices . Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight carrier to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or such other addresses as specified by the parties by like notice):

 

If to the Bank:

 

Community Bank of the Chesapeake
3035 Leonardtown Road
Waldorf, MD 20601

Attn: President and Chief Executive Officer

If to Consultant:     At the most recent address listed in the Bank’s records.

 

(f)        Severability . Any term or provision of this Agreement which is held to be invalid or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

(g)        Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which together will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(h)        Waiver . The Company, the Bank and Consultant acknowledge that this Agreement is in documentary compliance with Section 409A of the Code. However, in the event that any payments or benefits under this Agreement are deemed to be subject to any excise taxes, including any penalties or interest, imposed under Section 409A of the Code by the Internal Revenue Service (“ 409A Penalties ”), Consultant shall be solely responsible for the payment of the 409A Penalties to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, Consultant hereby forever releases, waives, discharge and acquits the Company, the Bank and their successors and assigns and the Company’s and the Bank’s directors officers, employees and agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and the heirs and assigns of all of them, from any claim that Consultant, Consultant’s heirs, successors and assigns may have related to the recovery or reimbursement of any 409A Penalties that may be incurred by Consultant or Consultant’s heirs, successors or assigns. Similarly, the Bank, the Company and their successors and assigns hereby forever releases, waives, discharge and acquits Consultant and Consultant’s heirs, successors and assigns from any claim that the Bank or the Company (including any affiliates and successors) may have related to the recovery or reimbursement of any penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service for the failure to comply with the reporting and withholding requirements under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(i)        Cooperation . Consultant shall: (i) furnish such information and assistance to the Bank and the Company, as may reasonably be requested by the Bank and the Company with respect to any matter, project, initiative, or effort for which Consultant is or was responsible or has relevant knowledge or has or had substantial involvement in while employed by the Bank; (ii) cooperate with the Bank and the Company during the course of all third-party proceedings arising out of the businesses of the Bank and the Company about which Consultant has knowledge or information; and (iii) cooperate with the Bank and the Company in connection with a valuation of Consultant’s agreement to refrain from taking certain actions as provided for under this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

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

 

  COMMUNITY BANK OF THE CHESAPEAKE
   
   
  By: /s/ William J. Pasenelli
  Name: William J. Pasenelli
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
     
  CONSULTANT
   
   
  /s/ James F. Di Misa
  James F. Di Misa

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Consultant will provide certain consulting services to the Bank, including but not limited to, advising related to the leadership transition plan as outlined below, and any other issues as requested by Executive Management.

 

·          Advising the EVP, Administrative Affairs Officer and Chief Operating Officer in matters relating to operations, marketing and facilities.

·          Advising the EVP, Banking Officers in matters relating to CWA and the retail banking network.

·          Advising the EVP, Digital Banking Officer on matters associated with Commercial Services.