UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

Filed by the Registrantx

Filed by a Party other than the¨


Registrant


Filed by the Registrantx
Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

¨xPreliminary Proxy Statement

¨oConfidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

xoDefinitive Proxy Statement

¨oDefinitive Additional Materials

¨oSoliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

SUSSEX BANCORP

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

xNo fee required.

¨oFee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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¨oFee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨oCheck box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1)Amount Previously Paid:

(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)Filing Party:

(4)Date Filed:


 

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March 24, 2016

27, 2018

Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sussex Bancorp, the holding company for Sussex Bank, to be held on April 27, 2016,25, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.,00a.m, Eastern time, at the office of Sussex Bancorp, located at 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700, Rockaway, New Jersey 07866.

The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and proxy statement describe the formal business that we will transact at the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors of Sussex Bancorp has determined that an affirmative vote on each matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting is in the best interest of Sussex Bancorp and its shareholders and unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” all such matters considered at the Annual Meeting.

Please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card promptly, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the Annual Meeting, but will assure that your vote is counted if you cannot attend.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the employees of Sussex Bancorp and Sussex Bank, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely yours,

[GRAPHIC MISSING]



[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Anthony Labozzetta
President and Chief Executive Officer

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL US AT (844) 256-7328


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SUSSEX BANCORP
100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

DATEWednesday, April 27, 201625, 2018

TIMETIME10:00 a.m. Eastern time

PLACEPLACESussex Bancorp
100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

(1)

Election of the four nominees named in the attached proxy statement as directors to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term.

(2)

Ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2018.

(3)

Consideration and approval of a non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers.

(4)

Consideration and approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of our Company from Sussex Bancorp to SB One Bancorp.

(5)

Consideration of any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

RECORD DATEThe record date for the Annual Meeting is March 3, 2016.1, 2018. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

PROXY VOTINGYou are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please submit the enclosed proxy or voting instructions by mail. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for your convenience. Submitting a proxy or voting instructions will not prevent you from attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

[GRAPHIC MISSING]
[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Linda Kuipers
Secretary
Rockaway, New Jersey
March 24, 201627, 2018

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE SHAREHOLDER

MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, 2016.

25, 2018.

This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017 are available free of charge athttp://www.snl.com/irweblinkx/GenPage.aspx?IID=4015338&GKP=203214.


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Page

Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING1
 1 
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS4
 5 
Vote Required4
 5 
Our Recommendation4
 5 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS5
 6 
Nominees5
 6 
Continuing Directors6
 7 
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS7
 9 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE8
 10 
Board of Directors8
 10 
Board of Directors Independence8
 10 
Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines8
 11 
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight9
 11 

Committees of the Board of Directors

10
 12 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT(1)11
 14 
Shareholder Communications with Our Board of Directors1216
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS17 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION13
 
Summary Compensation Table2313
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End14
Long-term Incentive Compensation14
Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements and Other Material Agreements15
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION18
 31 
Meeting Fees18
 31 
Director Deferred Compensation Agreement18
 31 
Director Compensation Table18
 31 
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS20
 33 
Certain Related-Person Transactions20
 33 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT21
 34 
SECTION 16(A)16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE23
 36 
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS23
 36 
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM24
 37 
Vote Required24
 37 
Our Recommendation24
 37 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services24
 37 
PROPOSAL 3 NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS25
 38 
Vote Required25
 38 
Our Recommendation25
 38 
General2538
PROPOSAL 4 AMENDMENT TO OUR RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE THE COMPANY’S NAME39
Vote Required39
Our Recommendation39 
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS26
 40 
OTHER MATTERS2640

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SUSSEX BANCORP
100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866
(844) 256-7328




PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE

20162018 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, 2016

25, 2018

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Why am I receiving these materials?

We have sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because the Board of Directors, or the Board, of Sussex Bancorp is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This proxy statement and proxy card are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 24, 2016.27, 2018. As used in this proxy statement, “we,” “us,” “our” and “Company” refer to Sussex Bancorp and/or its subsidiaries, depending on the context. The term “Annual Meeting,” as used in this proxy statement, means the 20162018 annual meeting of shareholders and includes any adjournment or postponement of such meeting.

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 3, 20161, 2018 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this date, there were 4,675,0567,925,214 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on March 3, 2016,1, 2018, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, then you are a shareholder of record. As a shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card by mail to ensure your vote is counted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on March 3, 2016,1, 2018, your shares were held not in your name but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting.

As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. Simply complete and mail the proxy card and voting instructions to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed by your broker or bank, if applicable. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if shareholders holding at least a majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting to another date.


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What am I voting on and how many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

Proposal 1: Election of Directors.  Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Plurality means that the individuals who receive the largest number of “FOR” votes cast are elected as directors up to the maximum number of directors to be chosen at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, the four nominees receiving the most “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. You may not vote your shares cumulatively for the election of directors.

Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The ratification of BDO USA, LLP, or BDO, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20162018 will require “FOR” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Similarly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

1

Proposal 3: Consideration and Approval of a Non-binding Advisory Resolution on the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers.  The approval of the non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers will require “FOR” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote shares on this proposal without direction from the beneficial owner. Therefore, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Proposal 4: Consideration and approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of our Company from Sussex Bancorp to SB One Bancorp.  The approval of the amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of our Company from Sussex Bancorp to SB One Bancorp will require “For” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Similarly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

What are broker non-votes?

Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine.” Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker or nominee may vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but may not vote the shares with respect to “non-routine” matters. The election of directors is no longer considered “routine.” Proposals 1, 3 and 34 are considered “non-routine” and Proposal 2 is considered “routine” under The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, or the NASDAQ Listing Rules.

How does the Board recommend that I vote my shares?

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxies on the card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendation for each proposal, together with the description of each proposal, are set forth in this proxy statement. The Board recommends a vote:

“FOR” the election of the threefour nominees to the Board;

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016; and2018;

“FOR” the approval of the non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers.officers; and
“FOR” the approval of an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of our Company from Sussex Bancorp to SB One Bancorp.

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With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxies will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board had no knowledge of any business other than that described herein that would be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

How do I vote?

For Proposal 1, you may either vote “FOR” all the nominees to the Board or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote for any nominee you specify. For any other matter to be voted on, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are as follows:

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a shareholder of record, you may (a) vote in person at the Annual Meeting or (b) vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, in each case as described below. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.

To vote by proxy, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, the designated proxy holders will vote your shares as you direct.

If you sign the proxy card but do not make specific choices, your proxy will vote your shares “FOR” Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 34 as set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxies will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no other matters that may be presented at the Annual Meeting, other than those listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card and voting instructions to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the Internet as instructed by your broker or bank, if applicable. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

2

May I change my vote after submitting my proxy card?

Yes. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are the shareholder of record of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following three ways:

filing a timely written revocation of the proxy with our Secretary;

submitting a signed proxy card bearing a later date; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

If your shares are not registered in your own name, you will need appropriate documentation from the shareholder of record to vote personally at the Annual Meeting. Examples of such documentation include a broker’s statement, letter or other document that will confirm your ownership of the shares. If your shares are held by your broker, bank or another party as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by such party.

Your personal attendance at the Annual Meeting does not revoke your proxy. Your last vote, prior to or at the Annual Meeting, is the vote that will be counted.


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Who will bear the expense of soliciting proxies?

We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to shareholders. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of our common stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by our directors, officers or other regular employees. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular employees for such services.

When are shareholder proposals due for the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

If you wish to submit proposals to be included in our proxy statement for the 20172019 annual meeting of shareholders, we must receive them on or before November 28, 2016,22, 2018, pursuant to the proxy soliciting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy statement and proxy card for such meeting any shareholder proposal which does not meet the requirements of the SEC in effect at the time. Any such proposal will be subject to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

In addition, under our Amended and Restated By-laws, if you wish to nominate a director for the 20172019 annual meeting of shareholders, the following criteria must be met: (i) you must be a shareholder of record; (ii) you must have given timely notice in writing to our Secretary; and (iii) your notice must contain specific information required in Section 3.23 of our Amended and Restated By-laws. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices between December 28, 201627, 2018 and January 27, 2017;25, 2019; provided, however, that in the event that the 20172019 annual meeting of shareholders is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the Annual Meeting, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the 20172019 annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the 20172019 annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. For additional information about our director nomination requirements, please see our Amended and Restated By-laws.

Obtaining an Annual Report on Form 10-K

We will provide a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152017 (without exhibits) without charge, upon written request, to any registered or beneficial owner of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Requests should be made in writing to Linda Kuipers, Secretary, Sussex Bancorp, 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700, Rockaway, New Jersey 07866. The Annual Report on Form 10-K is also available on the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov and on our website atwww.sussexbank.com by clicking on “Investors — SEC Filings.”

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board has nominated the four individuals listed in the table below for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. If you elect the nominees listed below, they will hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 20192021 or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. All nominees are currently serving on our Board and have consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve if elected.

If for any reason these nominees prove unable or unwilling to stand for election or cease to qualify to serve as directors, the Board will nominate alternates or reduce the size of the Board to eliminate the vacancies. If any nominee is unable or does not qualify to serve, you or your proxy may vote for another nominee proposed by the Board. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees would prove unable to serve if elected. There are no arrangements or understandings between us and any nominee, pursuant to which such person was nominated to be a director.

Nominees

Term Expires

Position(s) Held

 
Richard BrancaNominees2019Term ExpiresPosition(s) Held
Dominick J. D’Agosta2021Director
Mark J. Hontz 
Katherine H. Caristia20212019Director
Walter E. Loeffler 
Anthony Labozzetta20212019Director
Peter A. Michelotti 
Robert McNerney20212019Director

Vote Required

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The four nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the threefour nominees named above. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, your shares will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our Board. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. You may not vote your shares cumulatively for the election of directors.

Our Recommendation

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH ABOVE.

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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board currently consists of 1011 directors. Mr. Donald L. Kovach retiredTimothy Marvil resigned effective December 31, 2015January 21, 2018. Effective January 4, 2018 upon consummation of the expirationmerger of his term.Community Bank of Bergen County, NJ with and into Sussex Bank, the Board appointed Mr. Dominick J. D’Agosta, Mr. Walter E. Loeffler and Mr. Peter A. Michelotti. Set forth below are the names, ages and length of service of each of the members of our Board.

Nominees 

Age(1)

Term Expires 

Position(s) Held 

Director Since 

Richard Branca682016Director2005
     
Katherine H. Caristia622016Director2010
     
Anthony Labozzetta522016President and Chief Executive Officer; Director2010
     
Robert McNerney572016Director2011
    
Nominees Age(1) Term Expires Position(s) Held Director Since
Dominick J. D’Agosta 76 2021 Director 2018
Mark J. Hontz 51 2021 Director 1998
Walter E. Loeffler 69 2021 Director 2018
Peter A. Michelotti 49 2021 Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer;
Director
 2018

Continuing Directors 

Age(1)

Term Expires 

Position(s) Held 

Director Since 

Patrick E. Brady622017Director2005
     
Edward J. Leppert552017Chairman of the Board2001
     
John E. Ursin482017Director2012
     
Mark J. Hontz492018Director1998
     
Timothy Marvil542018Director2008
     
Charles A. Musilli572018Director2014
    
Continuing Directors Age(1) Term Expires Position(s) Held Director Since
Richard Branca 70 2019 Director 2005
Katherine H. Caristia 64 2019 Director 2010
Anthony Labozzetta 54 2019 President and Chief
Executive Officer;
Director
 2010
Robert McNerney 59 2019 Director 2011
Patrick E. Brady 64 2020 Director 2005
Edward J. Leppert 57 2020 Chairman of the Board
 2001
Michael X. McBride 64 2020 Director 2017

__________________

(1)At March 1, 2016.2018.

The principal occupation, education and business experience, where applicable, of each nominee for election as a director and each continuing and retiring director are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, principal occupations shown for each director have extended for five or more years.

Nominees

Mr. Dominick J. D’Agosta is retired and a banking industry veteran who began his career in 1959 at First Jersey National Bank. Over the course of nearly 55 years, Mr. D’Agosta has held senior management positions with various financial institutions (many of which have merged or consolidated), including National Westminster Corporation, Summit Bank Corporation, Fleet Bank Boston, Bank of America and Capital One. Mr. D’Agosta continues to serve the community through non-profit work. Currently, he is the Chairman of Youth Consultation Services (YCS) in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was past Chairman of both the Hudson County and Meadowlands Chambers of Commerce, and he is a Board Member, and past Chair, for the Hudson/Bergen County Workforce Investment Board. Mr. D’Agosta previously held Chair positions with the New Jersey City University Foundation and the Bon Secours Health Systems NJ with hospitals in Jersey City and Hoboken.

Mr. Mark J. Hontz is a partner in the Newton, New Jersey based law firm of Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Hinkes, Wojcik, Gacquin, Vandenberg & Hontz, L.L.C. and has been a practicing lawyer since 1992. His experience counseling various clients and business entities has given him insight into many of the issues we deal with, including risk mitigation and corporate governance.

Mr. Walter E. Loeffler is a certified public accountant and managing member of Walter E. Loeffler, CPA, LLC, a CPA firm since 1986. Mr. Loeffler’s is also the President of Business Valuation Associates, Inc. since 1995. Mr. Loeffler’s experience includes consulting services for closely-held corporations, business valuations, forensic and traditional accounting services as well as tax return preparation. Mr. Loeffler’s was a Board member of Community Bank of Bergen Couny, NJ and the Chairman of their Audit Committee.


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Mr. Peter A. Michelotti has been our Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President since January 2018. He is a certified financial planner and he was previously the President and Chief Executive Officer as well as a Board member of Community Bank of Bergen Couny, NJ since January 2009. He held various other positions with Community Bank Bank of Bergen Couny, NJ since 1987. He also has held several officer and director positions with banking related associations. Mr. Michelotti has more than 30 years of banking experience, including strategic planning, lending, regulatory compliance, risk management and operations.

NomineesContinuing Directors

Mr. Patrick E. Brady has been the Chief Executive Officer of Heath Alliance for Care of Hackettstown, New Jersey, a not for profit corporation providing housing and services for the elderly, since 1995. Heath Alliance for Care, Inc. is parent to Heath Village, Inc. and Canterbury Village, Inc. Mr. Brady was also formerly a trustee of Cathedral Healthcare Systems. As a Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brady has experience in many of the issues we deal with, including financial and strategic planning, technology and government relations.

Mr. Richard Branca is the owner and President of Bergen Engineering Company, East Rutherford, New Jersey. He is also the President of Branca Properties, which owns and manages over 1.3 million square feet of office, warehouse and retail space. Mr. Branca also serves as a Principal of Concord Hospitality, an entity which owns or operates over 84 full and select service hotels throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Branca’s broad based business experience has provided him with insight and understanding of many of the same issues that both our small business customers and we deal with today, including financial and strategic planning, capital allocation and management development.

Ms. Katherine H. Caristia is a certified public accountant and has served as the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer of the Jan Group of Companies of Randolph, New Jersey since 2001. She was previously the Controller of the Jan Group of Companies. Her accounting and prior business positions have given Ms. Caristia experience in the service, retail and financial sectors. Ms. Caristia’s financial and accounting background allow her to provide insight to the Board on many of the issues we deal with on a daily basis. In addition, Ms. Caristia’s accounting experience qualifies her to serve as the Chairman ofon our Audit Committee.

Mr. Anthony Labozzetta has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2010. He was previously an Executive Vice President of TD Bank from 2006 to 2010. Prior to joining TD Bank, Mr. Labozzetta served as the Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Interchange Financial Services Corporation until its acquisition by TD Bank in 2006. Mr. Labozzetta also previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Interchange Financial Services Corporation. He was formerly a certified public accountant with Deloitte & Touche. With more than 2530 years of banking experience, including strategic planning and growth, regulatory compliance, investor relations, risk management, mergers and acquisitions and management development, Mr. Labozzetta has extensive and diverse knowledge of the banking business.

Mr. Edward J. Leppert is a certified public accountant and founder of Leppert Group LLC, and has been in public practice since 1986. Effective January 1, 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Board of both the Company and Sussex Bank. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board and has also served as the Chairman of the Audit, Executive, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. His experience with financial and corporate governance matters and knowledge of the customers and communities in the northern New Jersey marketplace are beneficial to us.

Mr. Michael X. McBride, Esq. is an attorney and partner at Connell Foley LLP (“Connell Foley”) in Roseland, New Jersey. His practice focuses on real estate and construction. From 2010 through 2015, Mr. McBride served as Connell Foley’s Managing Partner. He is admitted to the New York State Bar and the New Jersey State Bar. He is a graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. McBride’s knowledge of the customers and communities in the northern New Jersey marketplace are beneficial to us and provides us valuable insight into the current market.


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Mr. Robert McNerney has been the owner of a real estate company, McNerney & Associates, Inc., since 1981. McNerney & Associates, Inc. provides appraisal, management, brokerage and development services throughout northern New Jersey and New York. He is a licensed appraiser and real estate broker in NJ and NY and holds an MAI and SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute. He holds a CRE designation from the Counselors of Real Estate, which is awarded to individuals nominated by their peers who possess extensive experience in the commercial real estate business. Mr. McNerney’s extensive experience in the real estate markets and as a business owner provides us valuable insight into the current market.

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Continuing Directors

Mr. Patrick E. Brady has been the Chief Executive Officer of Heath Alliance for Care of Hackettstown, New Jersey, a not for profit corporation providing housing and services for the elderly, since 1995. Heath Alliance for Care, Inc. is parent to Heath Village, Inc. and Canterbury Village, Inc.. Mr. Brady was also formerly a trustee of Cathedral Healthcare Systems. As a Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brady has experience in many of the issues we deal with, including financial and strategic planning, technology and government relations.

Mr. Edward J. Leppert is a certified public accountant and founder of Leppert Group LLC, and has been in public practice since 1986. Effective January 1, 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Board of both the Company and Sussex Bank. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board and has also served as the Chairman of the Audit, Executive, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. His experience with financial and corporate governance matters and knowledge of the customers and communities in the northern New Jersey marketplace are beneficial to us.

Mr. John E. Ursin, Esq. has been a partner at the law firm of Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP since January 7, 2013 and was previously a partner at the law firm of Courter, Kobert & Cohen, P.C. from September 1, 2008 until January 4, 2013. Mr. Ursin counsels public entities, businesses and individuals in a wide range of legal issues with a concentration on local government, banking, insurance, and construction law. Mr. Ursin is also experienced with complex business and real estate transactions. Mr. Ursin also served as Judicial Law clerk to the Honorable Ronald B. Graves, J.S.C. Mr. Ursin’s knowledge of the customers and communities in the northern New Jersey marketplace are beneficial to us and provides us valuable insight into the current market.

Mr. Mark J. Hontz is a partner in the Newton, New Jersey based law firm of Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Pasculli, Hinkes, Wojcik, Gacquin, Vandenberg & Hontz, L.L.C. and has been a practicing lawyer since 1992. His experience counseling various clients and business entities has given him insight into many of the issues we deal with, including risk mitigation and corporate governance.

Reverend Timothy Marvil is the Chairman of Ames Rubber Corporation of Hamburg, New Jersey. Ames is a technical engineering and manufacturing company of polymer parts and products. He has been employed by Ames since 1984, and is a graduate of Brown University. He is also an ordained minister in the First Presbyterian Church of Homer and a trustee/director of Oaklawn Hospital. Reverend Marvil’s employment at Ames has provided him with experience in corporate finance, corporate governance and capital allocation, all issues faced by us.

Mr. Charles A. Musilli is the Senior Vice President and Distribution Strategies Officer of Selective Insurance Company of America, a company that offers insurance and risk-management services, and has served in various positions with Selective Insurance since 1981. He also serves as a trustee of Fore John Charitable Foundation. Mr. Musilli brings significant insurance-related experience to the Company in areas such as underwriting, marketing, distribution and risk management and product development.

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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

The following are our executive officers who are not also members of the Board and therefore are not listed above:

Mr. Steven M. Fusco, age 49,51, has served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President since 2010. Mr. Fusco also has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Sussex Bank since June 2010. Mr. Fusco has over 2830 years of banking experience, including managing accounting and treasury functions, strategic planning, risk management, regulatory compliance, operations, mergers and acquisitions and consulting. Prior to joining the Company and Sussex Bank, Mr. Fusco served as a Vice President and Treasury Manager with Investors Bank and as the Chief Financial and Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Mariner’s Bancorp and Mariner’s Bank. Mr. Fusco also served as the Treasurer and First Vice President for Interchange Bank during his 10 years at the bank.

Mr. Fusco also serves on two non-profit Boards, including being Vice Chairman of the Board for Financial Managers Society, Inc., which services financial professionals from community banks, thrifts, and credit unions.

Mr. George Lista, age 56,58, has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary, Tri-State Insurance Agency, since 2001. Mr. Lista joined Sussex Bank when we acquired Tri-State Insurance Agency in 2001. Mr. Lista served as Chief Operating Officer of Tri-State prior to its acquisition. Mr. Lista has 3537 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Mr. Kurt BreitensteinVito Giannola, age 48,41, has served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief LendingBanking Officer of Sussex Bank since January of 2012March 2018 and has been with the Company since June of 2011. He currently serves as Sussex Bank’s Chief Lending Officer. Prior to joining Sussex Bank, Mr. Breitenstein was a Senior Vice President of Valley National Bank. Prior to that, he was First Vice President and Commercial Lending Team Leader at Interchange Bank. Mr. Breitenstein has 29 years of experience in banking, including 25 years in commercial credit and lending.

Mr. Vito Giannola, age 39, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer of Sussex Bank since September 2010. Mr. Giannola has over 1516 years of experience in retail, small business and government banking. Prior to joining Sussex Bank, Mr. Giannola served as Retail Market Manager and Senior Vice President with TD Bank, where he held various positions throughout the bank. Mr. Giannola also held various positions with Chase and First Union (Wells Fargo).

Mr. Aditya Kishore, age 51, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations & Technology Officer of Sussex Bank since January 2015, under his current role in an effort to strengthen Sussex Bank’s digital banking services, operations and technology to enhance its customers’ experience. Mr. Kishore has established experience and credential in enhancing banking operations and back-office efficiency. Prior to joining Sussex, Mr. Kishore served as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Technology Officer at ConnectOne Bank. Prior to ConnectOne Bank, he held similar positions at Carver Federal Savings Bank and Hanover Community bank. Mr. Kishore has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, with a focus on technology and alternative delivery channels, as well as operations management.

Mr. Neill Schreyer, age 59, has served as ExecutiveVice President and Chief Credit Officer of Sussex Bank since June 2010. Previously, he served as the Loan Workout Officer since joining us in July 2009. Mr. Schreyer has over 30 years of banking experience in branch banking and lending. Prior to coming to Sussex Bank, he was the Division Head for The Bank of New York’s small and middle market loan workout division.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors

The Board oversees our business and monitors the performance of our management. In accordance with our corporate governance procedures, the Board does not involve itself in our day-to-day operations. Our executive officers and management oversee the day-to-day operations. Our directors fulfill their duties and responsibilities by attending regular meetings of the Board, which are held on a monthly basis. Our directors also discuss business and other matters with the Chairman, the President and Chief Executive Officer, other key executives and our principal external advisers (legal counsel, auditors, financial advisors and other consultants).

The Board held four4 regularly scheduled meetings and four8 special meetings during the year ended December 31, 2015.2017. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the total of (i) the meetings of the Board held during the period for which he or she has been a director and (ii) the meetings of the committee(s) on which that particular director served during such period.

It is our policy to encourage directors and nominees to attend the Annual Meeting. At the 20152017 annual meeting of shareholders, all members then serving on the Board with the exception of Mr. Branca, were in attendance.

Board of Directors Independence

Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ Listing Rules requires that independent directors compose a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. In addition, the NASDAQ Listing Rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent and that audit committee members also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Compensation committee members must also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act. Under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors or any other board committee: (i) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition to satisfying general independence requirements under the NASDAQ Listing Rules, members of a compensation committee must also satisfy independence requirements set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(d)(2). Pursuant to Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(d)(2), in affirmatively determining the independence of a member of a compensation committee of a listed company, the board of directors must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether that member has a relationship with the company which is material to that member’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member, including: (a) the source of compensation of such member, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the company to such member; and (b) whether such member is affiliated with the company, a subsidiary of the company or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the company.

The Board consults with our legal counsel to ensure that the Board’s determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent NASDAQ Listing Rules, as in effect from time to time. Consistent with these considerations, the Board has affirmatively determined that all of its directors, including the director nominees, satisfy general independence requirements under the NASDAQ Listing Rules, other than Messrs. Labozzetta and Ursin.Michelotti, and Mr. Ursin, who resigned from the board effective January 22, 2017. In making this determination, the Board found that none of the directors, other than Messrs. Labozzetta, Michelotti and Ursin, had a material or other disqualifying relationship with us that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, and that each director, other than Messrs. Labozzetta, Michelotti and Ursin, is “independent” as that term is defined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Board determined that Mr. Labozzetta, our President and Chief Executive Officer, isand Mr. Michelotti, our Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, are not an


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independent directordirectors by virtue of histheir respective current or former employment with us. Mr. Ursin iswas not an independent director due to certain related-person transactions in excess of $120,000 for 2013 which are described in more detail under the section entitled “Transactions with Related Persons” found elsewhere in this proxy statement. The Board also determined that each member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees satisfies the independence standards for such committees established by the SEC and the NASDAQ Listing Rules, as applicable.

Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have a Code of Conduct, which applies to all our directors, officers and employees. We also have a Senior Management Code of Ethics, which applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions for us, and which requires compliance with the Code of Conduct. The Senior Management Code of Ethics meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K.

We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website at the internet address set forth below. We did not amend or grant any waivers of a provision of our Code of Ethics during 2015.

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2017.

The Board adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assure that it will have the necessary authority and practices in place to review and evaluate our business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent of our management. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are also intended to align the interests of directors and management with those of our shareholders. The Corporate Governance Guidelines set forth the practices the Board intends to follow with respect to Board independence, composition and selection, Board meetings and involvement of senior executives, senior executive performance evaluation and succession planning, and Board committees and compensation.

The Code of Conduct, the Senior Management Code of Ethics and the Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website atwww.sussexbank.com. The inclusion of our website address here and elsewhere in this proxy statement does not include or incorporate by reference the information on our website into this proxy statement.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Board Leadership Structure

The Board does not have a formal policy on separating the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and, if separate, whether the Chairman of the Board should be a non-employee director or an employee. The Board believes that no single, one-size fits all, board leadership model is universally or permanently appropriate. The Board prefers to retain the flexibility to structure its leadership from time to time in any manner that is in our best interest and that of our shareholders. The positions of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are currently separated. Separating these positions allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead our Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management. The Board recognizes the time, effort and energy that our Chief Executive Officer must devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as our Chairman, particularly as the Board’s oversight responsibilities continue to grow. The Board also believes that this structure ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of the Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of our Board. The Board recognizes that depending on the circumstances other leadership models, such as combining the role of Chairman of the Board with the role of Chief Executive Officer, might be appropriate. Accordingly, our Board may periodically review its leadership structure.


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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Risk is an inherent part of the business of banking. Risks faced by us include credit risk relating to our loans and interest rate risk related to our balance sheet. The Board oversees these risks through the adoption of policies and by delegating oversight to certain Board committees, including the loan and asset-liability committees. These committees exercise oversight by establishing a corporate environment that promotes timely and effective disclosure, fiscal accountability and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

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Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board has established three committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The following table provides membership and meeting information for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, for each Board committee:

   

Name

Audit 

Compensation 

Nominating and
Corporate Governance 

 Audit Compensation Nominating and
Corporate Governance
 
Patrick E. BradyX X  X   X      
 
Richard Branca X       X      
 
Katherine H. Caristia**X* X  X        X 
 
Dominick J. D’Agosta               
Mark J. Hontz X  X   X*   X 
 
Edward J. LeppertX X*
 
Timothy Marvil X* 
 
Edward J. Leppert**  X         X* 
Walter E. Loeffler**               
Timothy Marvil***   X*           
Robert McNerney             X 
 
Charles A. Musilli X 
 
John E. Ursin 
 
Total meetings in 2015561
Michael X. McBride       X   X 
Total meetings in 2017  6   6   2 

 ____________________

*Committee Chair

**Financial Expert

***Effective January 21, 2018, upon the resignation of Messr. Marvil, Messr. Leppert assumed the role Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Below is a description of each committee of the Board.

Audit Committee

During 2015,2017, the Audit Committee was chaired by Messr. Marvil with Ms. Caristia, with Messrs. Brady, Hontz and Leppert as members. Effective January 21, 2018, upon the resignation of Messr. Marvil, Messr. Leppert assumed the role Chairman of the Audit Committee. Effective January 24, 2018, Mr. Loeffler was appointed to the Audit Committee. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board’s oversight of our accounting and financial reporting process, including our internal audit function and the audits of our financial statements.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to:

oversee and monitor the financial reporting process, internal audit function and internal controls and procedures;

appoint, compensate and oversee the work of the independent auditors;

review and evaluate the audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors and report any substantive issues found during the audit to the Board;

review and approve all transactions with related persons; and

provide an open avenue of communication among the independent auditors, financial and senior management, the internal audit department and the Board.

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The Audit Committee is also responsible for the pre-approval of all audit, review, attest and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors. The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm during 2015.

2017.

The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees (including a subcommittee consisting of a single member), as it deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances. Any decision of a subcommittee to pre-approve audit, review, attest or non-audit services shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

The Board reviews the definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of our Audit Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act). The Board has also determined that Ms. Caristia qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website atwww.sussexbank.comwww.sussexbank.com..


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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT(1)

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017 with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, BDO. The Audit Committee has discussed with BDO the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA,Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding BDO’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BDO the firm’s independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the consolidated audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sussex Bancorp
Audit Committee

Katherine H. Caristia, Chair

Patrick E. Brady

Edward J. Leppert, Chair
Katherine H. Caristia
Patrick E. Brady
Mark Hontz
Walter Loeffler

________________________

(1)The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under either the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Compensation Committee

During 2015,2017, the Compensation Committee was chaired by Mr. Marvil,Hontz, with Messrs. Brady, Branca Hontz and MusilliMcBride as members. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to review senior management’s performance and determine compensation, and review and set guidelines for compensation of all employees.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to:

annually review and approve corporate and/or individual goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer, evaluate performance in light of those goals and objectives, and recommend to the Board the compensation level based on this evaluation;

annually review and recommend to the Board for the President and Chief Executive Officer and the senior executives (i) annual base salary, (ii) any annual and long-term incentives, and (iii) any special or supplemental benefits;

make recommendations to the Board with respect to profit sharing and equity-based compensation plans; and

review and adopt any necessary or desirable amendments or changes to any and all benefit, incentive compensation and equity-based plans.

The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate its authority to subcommittees as it deems appropriate; provided, that any such subcommittee shall report to the entire Compensation Committee on its activities. The Compensation Committee also has the sole authority to retain compensation consultants to assist in its evaluation of executive and director compensation, including the authority to approve the consultant’s reasonable fees and other retention terms. During the past fiscal year, the Compensation Committee engaged Meyer-Chatfield Compensation Advisors,BFS Group, a compensation consulting firm, to advise the Compensation Committee on executive officer and director compensation.SERP plans. The Compensation Committee instructed the consultant to develop market comparisons and recommendations regarding the compensation ofconsulting firm is reviewing SERPs for certain executive officers and directors. In 2015, Meyer-Chatfield Compensation Advisors provided recommendations regarding the levels of compensation of executive officers and directors relative to our industry peers. The Compensation Committee took into account the recommendations of Meyer-Chatfield Compensation Advisors and utilized information, including peer data, regarding the compensation of our executive officers and directors provided by the consultants in evaluating, recommending and determining compensation levels.officers.


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The Board reviews the definition of independence for Compensation Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of our Compensation Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act). The Compensation Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website atwww.sussexbank.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

During 2015,2017, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was chaired by Mr. Leppert, with Ms. Caristia and Messrs. Brady, BrancaHontz, McBride and HontzMcNerney as members. The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to identify and evaluate individuals qualified to become directors, and periodically review our organizational documents and corporate governance policies.

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The primary duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are to:

identify, review and evaluate candidates to serve as directors (consistent with criteria approved by the Board);

recommend to the Board for selection candidates for election to the Board;

review and evaluate incumbent directors;

develop and oversee annual evaluations of the Board and its members, its committees and the Chief Executive Officer; and

annually review our corporate governance guidelines and insider trading policies and procedures.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the current make-up of the Board. When we have an opening on the Board, we will always look at a diverse pool of candidates. It is the policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to select individuals as director nominees who shall have the highest personal and professional integrity, who shall have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who shall be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the Board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the shareholders. When considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the candidate’s diversity, skills, such as an understanding of financial statements, financial reporting systems and our market area, and independence from management. We view and define diversity in its broadest sense, which includes gender, ethnicity, education, experience and leadership qualities. If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes a candidate would be a valuable addition to the Board, it will recommend to the full Board that candidate’s election. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also has the authority to retain any search firm to assist in the identification of director candidates. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not retained any such search firm, and we do not pay a fee to any third party to identify or evaluate director candidates.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider qualified nominations for directors recommended by shareholders. All shareholder recommendations are evaluated on the same basis as any recommendation from members of our Board or management. Recommendations should be sent to Linda Kuipers, Secretary, Sussex Bancorp, 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700, Rockaway, New Jersey 07866. Director nominations by shareholders should be received by the Secretary between December 28, 201627, 2018 and January 27, 201725, 2019 for the 20172019 annual meeting of shareholders. For additional information about our director nomination requirements, please see our Amended and Restated By-laws. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Secretary had not received any shareholder nominations or recommendations for nominees in connection with the Annual Meeting. All nominees were nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Board reviews the definition of independence for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent (as independence is currently defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website atwww.sussexbank.comwww.sussexbank.com..


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Shareholder Communications with Our Board of Directors

Shareholders wishing to communicate directly with the independent members of the Board may send correspondence to Edward J. Leppert, Chairman of the Board, One County Road 560, Sandyston, New Jersey 07826.


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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section is intended to help our shareholders understand the Company’s compensation philosophy, objectives, components and practices. This section also describes the Committee’s decisions made during 2017 as they relate to the compensation of our named executive officers (NEO). Their compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and other compensation tables contained in this Proxy Statement.

The following officers have been identified as our named executive officers:

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Anthony LabozzettaPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Steven M. FuscoSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
George ListaChief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency
Sergio Mussacchio(1)Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer

(1)Mr. Mussacchio separated employment with the Company effective December 31, 2017. The terms of separation included salary continuation for the lesser of nine months or Mr. Mussachio being employed with another company. In addition, the Company would pay for medical benefits for that term.

2017 Key Strategic and Financial Highlights

The Company continues to execute its strategic goals driven by strong organic growth in each of our key business lines. Fiscal year 2017 represented the fifth consecutive year of successive increase in operating earnings and performance measures (e.g. ROA and ROE). The Company continued to achieve higher performance results driven by commercial lending growth, core deposit growth, market expansion, fee income driven by our insurance agency and further expanding and penetrating the northern NJ and metro NY markets. We are extremely proud of the following key Strategic and Financial highlights for 2017:

Key Strategic Highlights:

Announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Community Bank of Bergen County, NJ that would increase assets by approximately 40% and was projected to be accretive to both earnings per share and tangible book value. The transaction closed on January 4, 2018.
Raised over $28 million in a common stock offering, which such offering was oversubscribed.
Continued market expansion into northern New Jersey and metro New York markets.

Key Financial Highlights:

Adjusted for merger related expenses and the impact from the enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, operating results for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased by 40% as compared to the prior year.
Adjusted for merger related expenses and the impact from the enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, operating earnings per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.42 as compared to $1.19 for the same period last year.
Total assets grew 15.4% to $979 million by the end of 2017; total loans and deposits organically grew 18.0% and 15.4%, respectively.
Continued strong growth of 18% in pre-tax income from our insurance subsidiary.
Declared cash dividends to common shareholders totaling $0.24 per share.

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Committee believes the success of the Company is driven through the attraction and retention of qualified executives who deliver on our strategic vision, embrace our culture and drive shareholder value. Our executive compensation program is designed to motivate and reward high performance in a manner that is fiscally responsible, ensures regulatory compliance and motivates executives without encouraging undue risk-taking, which could materially threaten the safety and soundness of the Company or any individual business unit.


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The executive compensation program is designed to offer a competitive mix of both cash and equity compensation and benefits that will attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and talented executives who will help maximize the Company’s short and long term performance and shareholder value. The executive compensation program comprises competitive base salaries, cash and equity based incentive and benefits that are designed to be competitive with market and that result in compensation that is commensurate with our performance.

Role of the Compensation Committee, Management and the Compensation Consultant in the Executive Compensation Process

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s executive officers. Four members of our Board of Directors sit on the Committee, each of whom is an independent director under the NASDAQ Stock Market listing requirements. To fulfill its responsibilities, the Committee meets at least quarterly throughout the year (met six times in 2017). The Chair of the Committee reports on Committee actions at meetings of the Board of Directors. Written minutes of Committee meetings are prepared, presented to and accepted by the Board.

The Committee has overall responsibility for evaluating and approving the compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company applicable to its CEO and other key executive officers. In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee establishes the compensation philosophy and oversees the development and implementation of the Company’s executive compensation programs and related policies.

In order to discharge its responsibilities, the Committee has the authority and is provided the resources to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, compensation, human resource, accounting and other advisors or consultants as it deems necessary or appropriate. These services are provided as a matter of practice as requested by the Committee and such advisors report directly to the Committee.

Details on the Committee’s functions are more fully described in its charter. As part of its responsibilities, the Committee reviews its charter in the development of an annual work plan and recommends any proposed changes to the Board for approval. The Compensation Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website atwww.sussexbank.com.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

The Committee has the authority to hire, terminate, and seek the services of compensation consulting and advisory firms as it deems appropriate. These advisors serve as independent counsel and report directly to the Committee, with such fees and retention terms determined at the authority of the Committee.

During the past fiscal year, the Compensation Committee engaged BFS Group, a compensation consulting firm, to advise the Compensation Committee on certain executive SERP plans.

The last benchmark review was conducted in 2015 by Meyer-Chatfield Compensation Advisors who was engaged by the Compensation Committee and provided recommendations regarding the levels of compensation of executive officers and directors relative to our industry peers. The Compensation Committee took into account the recommendation and utilized information, including peer data, regarding the compensation of our executives and directors in determining compensation levels for 2016.

In December 2017, the Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), as its independent advisor. Meridian specializes in executive and board compensation and reports directly to the Committee. The Committee assessed, and determined that Meridian is independent and that their engagement complies with the standards adopted by the SEC and by NASDAQ with regard to compensation advisor independence. The analysis for executive and Board compensation will be conducted by Meridian and will be used as reference for 2018 pay decisions.

Role of Management

Although the Committee exercises its independent judgment in reaching compensation decisions, it may request information or perspective from the Company’s executive or senior management. Information and input from senior management is helpful to ensuring the Committee and its advisors have the information


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needed to make informed decisions. Executives may provide insight, suggestions or recommendations regarding executive compensation. However, only Committee members vote on decisions regarding executive compensation. In all cases, no executive officer shall be present at meetings at which their compensation or performance is discussed or determined by the Committee.

Competitive Benchmarking

The Committee last conducted its competitive benchmarking in 2015. In late 2017, the Committee engaged its new consultant to conduct a comprehensive benchmarking review in early 2018. As a result, there was no peer group or competitive benchmarking used for 2017. Details of our most recent analysis will be reported in our 2018 proxy.

Executive Compensation Program Components and 2017 Pay Decisions

The compensation program consists of four components: base salary, annual (cash incentives), long-term (equity incentives) and benefits. The table below summarizes the actual NEO compensation paid for the 2017 performance year, which consists of base salary, annual (cash) incentives and equity grants. Additional details related to these components follow this table.

Anthony LabozzettaPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Steven M. FuscoSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
George ListaChief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency
Sergio MussacchioExecutive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer

    
Executive Base
Salary
($)
 Annual Incentive
Award (Cash)
($)
 Restricted
Stock Grant
($)
 Total Direct
Compensation
($)
Anthony Labozzetta  437,908   165,567   165,567   769,042 
Steven M. Fusco  238,341   72,224   72,224   382,789 
George Lista  185,633   36,164   36,164   257,961 
Sergio Mussacchio  220,000         220,000 

Below we summarize our programs and 2017 pay decisions.

Base Salary

The Committee believes the purpose of base salary is to provide competitive and fair base compensation that recognizes the executives’ role, responsibilities, experience and performance. Base salary represents fixed compensation that is targeted to be competitive with the practices of comparable banks similar in size and region.

Typically, the Committee sets base salary for each executive in the first quarter of each year effective January 1. Salaries are determined in consideration of the competitive market for similar roles, as well as each individual’s experience, performance and contributions. Input from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer is considered in setting executive salaries, while the Committee is solely responsible for recommending the Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s salary.

Below is a summary of the salaries approved by the Compensation Committee:

   
Executive 2016 Base Salary
($)
 2017 Base Salary
($)
 %
Increase
Anthony Labozzetta  394,671   441,511   11.8 
Steven M. Fusco  209,463   240,747   15.4 
George Lista  174,412   185,974   6.6 
Sergio Mussacchio  220,000   220,000    

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The salary increases from 2016 to 2017 were a result of the Company’s growth, strong performance and was supported by the 2015 Meyer Chatfield executive compensation review.

Executive Incentive Plan

The objective of the Company’s executive incentive plan is to motivate and reward key members of executive management for achieving specific performance goals that support the Company’s strategic plan through the use of cash awards and restricted stock. Awards under this plan represent compensation that must be earned based upon performance. Awards for the CEO and CFO are paid 50% in cash and 50% in equity with subsequent 3 year vesting and the awards for the CEO of Tri-State Insurance Agency is paid 100% in cash with the potential of discretionary stock awards.

The performance goals are developed in conjunction with the annual business plan, approved by the Compensation Committee and presented to the full Board for final approval.

The incentive target opportunities and performance measures for the 2017 compensation year are described below.

Award Opportunity:  The table below summarizes the 2017 incentive award opportunities (expressed as a percentage of base salary) available under our annual executive incentive plan and paid only upon achievement of the performance goals. The total incentive opportunity is allocated in cash (and equity in the case of the CEO, CLO and CFO) in accordance with the table below. The Committee believes payment in stock provides additional retention and deferral of compensation that reinforces our desire to align pay with shareholder interests and provide long-term compensation.

         
 Total Incentive Opportunity
(% of Salary)
 Cash Portion
(% of Salary)
 Restricted Stock Portion
(% of Salary)
   Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum
Chief Executive Officer  25.0  50.0  75.0  12.5  25.0  37.5  12.5  25.0  37.5
Chief Financial Officer  20.0  40.0  60.0  10.0  20.0  30.0  10.0  20.0  30.0
Chief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency  10.0  20.0  30.0  10.0  20.0  30.0         
EVP, Chief Lending Officer  20.0  40.0  60.0  10.0  20.0  30.0  10.0  20.0  30.0

Performance Measures:  The 2017 performance measures require our Company to achieve increased levels of profitability and achieve other key goals aligned with our business strategy. All participants have at least 50% of their incentive based on Net Income (Corporate or Division) to reinforce our goal to fund incentives based on earnings. Corporate Net Income was adjusted for significant extraordinary events (including acquisition costs and the impact of tax reform – deferred tax asset write down; see footnote below table for details).

Weightings for performance goals can vary by participant. For the CEO and CFO, performance is strictly formulaic, with 50% of the incentive determined by Corporate Net Income and 50% based on 3-Year Average Return on Equity (ROE). We believe a rolling view of ROE as measured for the prior 3 years is an effective way to reward and motivate sustained performance. The CEO, Tri-State Insurance Agency is measured based on the Business Unit goals: Net Income Before Taxes, Total Commissions Revenue and Efficiency Ratio. The Committee believed these measures would drive the appropriate focus by the executive team on overall performance of the Company. In addition to corporate goals, the CLO is measured on Business Unit goals.

The performance measures and goals were established by the Committee and approved unanimously in January 2017. The following tables summarize the measures, weightings and goals at threshold, target and stretch levels. The last column indicates the 2017 performance results for each goal.


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Dollars are in thousands.

Corporate Officers (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer)

     
 Weighting Performance Goals
Performance Measure Threshold Target Max Actual
Net Income  50 $4,928  $5,476  $6,571  $7,699 
3-Year Average ROE  50  6.94  7.19  7.69  8.30

Reported Net income (GAAP) for Fiscal Year 2017 was $5,691 and ROE was 7.17%, which included significant items that impacted financial results. Those items included the following:

  
Fiscal Year 2017 Net
Income
 ROE
Reported GAAP $5,691   7.17
Adjustments for significant extraordinary events:
          
Merger related expenses net of tax $1,021   1.29
S-3 Registration filing expenses, net of tax $45   0.06
Impact of tax reform – deferred tax asset write down $942   1.19
Total Adjustments $2,008   2.54
Non-GAAP results $7,699   9.71

The 3-Year Average ROE 8.30% (adjusted for significant events in 2017) as compared to the reported result of 7.46%. The Non-GAAP results were utilized for the incentive measurement.

Chief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency

     
 Weighting Performance Goals
Performance Measure Threshold Target Max Actual
Net Income Before Taxes  60 $1,294  $1,438  $2,156  $1,413 
Total Commissions Revenue  20 $4,721  $5,246  $7,869  $5,421 
TSIA: Efficiency Ratio  20  73.3  72.6  63.2  73.9

2017 Performance and Awards:  For 2017, the Corporate performance measures used for the CEO and CFO incentive awards both exceeded the maximum and resulted in a payout equivalent to 120% of target. Performance for the Chief Executive of Tri-State Insurance Agency was determined to be 19.4% of base salary. The Chief Lending Officer was not entitled to any 2017 awards. The executive incentive plan administration guidelines state a participant must be active and on payroll at the time of award. Due to the CLO’s separation from the Company on December 31, 2017, he was no longer an eligible plan participant when awards were processed in early 2018 and therefore received no award under the plan.

The following table summarizes the total 2017 annual incentive awards paid pursuant to the executive incentive plan. Payouts were made in March 2018 to the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers.

      
 Total Cash
(50% of Total)
 Rest Stock
(50% of Total)
   % of
Salary
 Amount
$
 % of
Salary
 Amount
$
 % of
Salary
 Amount
$
Chief Executive Officer  75.0   331,133   37.5   165,567   37.5   165,567 
Chief Financial Officer  60.0   144,448   30.0   72,224   30.0   72,224 
Chief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency  19.4   36,164   19.4   36,164       
EVP, Chief Lending Officer                  
Executive Benefits

The Company’s executive compensation program include base salary, annual cash incentive awards, long-term incentive awards and other benefit and perquisites, such as retirement programs.


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The Company provides select executives certain benefits and perquisites, which the Committee believes are reasonable and consistent with the Company’s overall compensation philosophy. The Committee regularly reviews and refines executive benefits to ensure market competitiveness.

Executive Perquisites.  The Company provides a limited number of perquisites to key executives that the Committee believes are necessary for conducting business are reasonable and enable us to attract and retain high performing employees for our key senior management positions. These benefits also allow our executives to maintain direct contact and involvement with current and prospective customers, as well as non-profit organizations in the communities in which we do business. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to the named executive officers.

The primary perquisites are: corporate owned automobiles for certain executives, club memberships for certain executives and life insurance programs. These perquisites represent a relatively insignificant portion of the total compensation of each named executive officer. The aggregate incremental cost to the Company for these perquisites is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the “All Other Compensation” column and elated notes.

Risk Management

The Compensation Committee annually reviews our executive compensation program to ensure it does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking. In reviewing the program for risk, the goal of the Committee is to design an executive compensation program that encourages prudent risk management and discourages inappropriate risk-taking by granting balanced portfolio of executive compensation that includes fixed and variable pay, annual and long-term pay, cash and equity.

Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section of this proxy statement is management’s report on the Company’s executive compensation programs and decisions for 2017. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the CD&A with management and recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement.

Respectfully Submitted,
The Compensation Committee
Mark J. Hontz,Chair
Patrick E. Brady
Richard Branca
Michael X. McBride
Edward J. Leppert,Ex-Officio


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

TABLES

2017 Summary Compensation Table

The table below sets forth the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the two other most highly compensated executive officers, or collectively, the named executive officers, during each of the last twothree completed fiscal years.years (or the completed fiscal years during which the executive was a named executive officer, if less).

Name and Principal Position 

Year 

Salary
($) 

Bonus
($) 

Stock
Awards(1)
($) 

Option
Awards(1)
($) 

All Other
Compensation
(3)
($) 

Total
($) 

        
Anthony Labozzetta,2015375,877140,954140,95623,23391,445772,465
President and Chief Executive Officer

2014

359,103

 90,383

 72,304

 67,574

 61,931

 651,295

        
Steven M. Fusco,2015

 199,489

 59,847

59,850

15,596

 5,996

 340,778

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer2014

 

189,763

 

39,164

 

29,377

 

33,787

 

3,844

 

295,935

        
George Lista,2015169,33236,08112,830178,005396,248
Chief Executive Officer, Tri-State Insurance Agency2014

 

160,039

 

26,200

 

8,713

 

 

154,833

 

349,785

       
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Stock
Awards(1)
($)
 Option
Awards(1)
($)
 Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation(2)
($)
 Total
($)
Anthony Labozzetta,
President and Chief Executive Officer
  2017   437,908   165,567      165,567   106,383   875,425 
  2016   393,105   357,512   37,777   148,001   96,079   1,032,474 
  2015   375,877   140,956   23,233   140,954   91,445   772,465 
Steven M. Fusco,
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  2017   238,341   72,224      72,224   8,127   390,916 
  2016   208,632   178,054   20,209   62,839   2,352   472,086 
  2015   199,489   59,850   15,596   59,847   5,996   340,778 
George Lista,
Chief Executive Officer,
Tri-State Insurance Agency
  2017   185,633   36,164      36,164   170,871   428,832 
  2016   176,218   83,800      46,975   167,602   474,595 
  2015   169,332   12,830      36,081   178,005   396,248 
Sergio Mussacchio,
Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
  2017   220,000            966   220,966 
                                   

____________________

(1)The amounts set forth represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards and option awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that the named executive officers will recognize. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 17 — Stock Incentive Plans to our fiscal year 2017 consolidated financial statements, which is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2018.

(2)Amounts in this column are set forth in the table below and include life insurance premiums, 401(k) employer contributions, health savings account, or HSA, contributions, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or SERP, contributions and commissions. The named executive officers participate in certain group life, health, disability insurance and medical reimbursement plans not disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table that are generally available to salaried employees and do not discriminate in scope, terms and operation. In addition, for 2015,2017, the named executive officers were provided certain non-cash perquisites and personal benefits that did not exceed $10,000 in the aggregate for any individual, and are not included in the reported figures.

Life Insurance Premiums ($) 

401(k) Employer Contributions ($) 

HSA Contributions ($) 

SERP Contributions ($) 

Commissions ($) 

Total ($) 

      
Name Life
Insurance
Premiums
($)
 401(k)
Employer
Contributions
($)
 HSA
Contributions
($)
 SERP
Contributions
($)
 Commissions
($)
 Total
($)
Anthony Labozzetta1,0037,74982,69391,445  1,301   7,950      97,132      106,383 
 
Steven M. Fusco5645,4325,996  977   7,150            8,127 
 
George Lista1,8227,9191,224164,700178,005  2,171   7,950   1,250      159,500   170,871 
Sergio Mussacchio  966               966 

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2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

13

         
Name Grant
Date
 Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards Estimated Future Payments Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards All Other Stock Awards: # of shares of Stock Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
Anthony Labozzetta  1/25/17   55,189   110,378   165,567   55,189   110,378   165,567      165,567 
Steven M. Fusco  1/25/17   24,075   48,149   72,224   24,075   48,149   72,224      72,224 
George Lista  1/25/17   18,686   37,372   56,058            1,222   36,164 
Sergio Mussacchio(1)  1/25/17   22,000   44,000   66,000   22,000   44,000   66,000         

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The table below sets forth information regarding stock options outstanding at December 31, 2015, whether granted in 2015 or earlier, including awards that have been transferred other than for value.

 

Option Awards 

Stock Awards 

Name

Grant Date 

Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options

(#)
Unexercisable 

Option ExercisePrice
($) 

Option ExpirationDate 

Number ofShares orUnits ofStock ThatHave NotVested
(#) 

Market Value
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(1)

($) 

        
Anthony Labozzetta02/06/20156,5266,52610.2502/06/202538,432(2) 503,075
 11/05/20143,60014,4009.9711/05/2024  
Steven M. Fusco02/06/20154,3814,38110.2502/06/202510,422(3) 136,424
 11/05/20141,8007,2009.9711/05/2024  
George Lista1,851(4) 24,230

 _____________________ 

(1)Market value is calculated onMussacchio was not awarded anything under the basis of $13.09 per share, which is the closing sales price for our common stock onnon-equity and equity incentive plans due to his separation effective December 31, 2015.2017.

(2)20,000 shares will vest over two years beginning January 1, 2015; 7,439 shares will vest over two years beginning January 22, 2015; 7,054 shares will vest over three years beginning February 6, 2015 and 3,939 shares will vest on February 1, 2016.

(3)4,945 shares will vest on June 23, 2016; 2,866 shares will vest over three years beginning February 6, 2015; 1,914 shares will vest over two years beginning January 22, 2015; and 697 shares will vest on February 1, 2016.

(4)850 shares will vest over two years beginning February 26, 2015; 667 shares will vest over two years beginning March 12, 2015; and 334 shares will vest on February 1, 2016.

Long-term Incentive Compensation

Long-term incentives are provided to the named executive officers through awards made under the equity plans established by the Company and Sussex Bank from time to time.

Amended and Restated Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan.  Under the Sussex Bank Amended and Restated Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan, or the Plan, our executives who are selected to participate in the Plan may earn awards paid in both cash and shares of our common stock; provided, that certain Company-wide and/or individual performance criteria are met. The Compensation Committee will annually determinedetermines performance criteria for each participating executive. Grants of common stock will beare subject to a three-year vesting requirement, and all awards will beare subject to repayment in the event that it is subsequently determined that the performance metrics on which the award is based are subsequently determined not to have been satisfied, due to a financial restatement or otherwise. Participants in the Plan have the option to defer some or all of their compensation or cash incentive awards. Amounts so deferred will earn interest at a rate equal to the average interest rate earned by Sussex Bank on its investment portfolio.

2013 Equity Incentive Plan.  Effective April 24, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Equity Plan. All employees, directors and other service providers are eligible to be granted awards under the Equity Plan. The Equity Plan provides for the issuance of “incentive stock options” qualified under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and “non-qualified stock options.” In addition, the Equity Plan may grant restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and unrestricted stock awards. The Equity Plan is administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee, which has the authority to select the employees, directors and other service providers who will be awarded stock-based incentives and determine the amount and other conditions of such awards subject to the terms of the Equity Plan.

No option issued under the Equity Plan is exercisable after the 10th10th anniversary from the date it was granted. During the optionee’s lifetime, only the optionee can exercise the option. The optionee cannot transfer or assign any option other than by will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. Pursuant to Section 422 of the Code as to incentive stock options, the aggregate fair market value of the stock for which any employee may be granted options, which first become exercisable in any calendar year, generally may not exceed $100,000. In addition, no grant may be made to any employee owning more than 10% of our shares unless the exercise price is at least 110% of the share’s fair market value and such option is not exercisable more than five years following the option grant.

14

We will receive no monetary consideration for the granting of awards under the Equity Plan. Upon the exercise of options, we receive payment from optionees in exchange for shares issued. During the last fiscal year, we did not adjust or amend the exercise price of stock options previously awarded.

In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of common stock, or in the event such shares are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of ours on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, the Compensation Committee


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will adjust, among other award terms, the number and kind of shares or property that may be delivered in connection with awards and the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any award in such manner as the Compensation Committee determines to be necessary to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants.

Subject to the exceptions described below, upon the occurrence of a “change in control,” as defined in the Equity Plan, all outstanding shares of restricted stock and all stock units will become immediately vested, and the shares of stock subject to outstanding stock units will be delivered immediately before the occurrence of the change in control. In addition, either of the following two actions will be taken:

15 days before the scheduled completion of the change in control, all options will become immediately exercisable and will remain exercisable for a period of 15 days, which exercise will be effective upon the consummation of the change in control; or

instead of providing for accelerated vesting in awards under the Equity Plan in connection with the change in control, the Compensation Committee may provide that awards, whether or not exercisable, will be terminated and the holders of awards will receive a cash payment, or the delivery of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities equivalent to such cash payment, equal to the value of the award.

In general, a “change in control” means:

oa person or group becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our voting stock on a fully diluted basis;

oa merger or consolidation of our Company, other than any such transaction in which the holders of our voting securities prior to the transaction own at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after the transaction;

oa sale of substantially all of our assets to another person or entity; or

othe dissolution or liquidation of our Company.

If we are the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of our Company with one or more other entities that does not constitute a change in control, any option outstanding under the Equity Plan will apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock subject to the option would have been entitled immediately following the transaction, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the option exercise price.

The Compensation Committee may provide in any agreement under the Equity Plan for different provisions to apply to an award under the Equity Plan than those described above.

We may reserve the right in an award agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a grantee with respect to an award on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such grantee in violation or breach of, or in conflict with, any employment agreement, non-competition agreement, agreement prohibiting solicitation of employees or clients of the Company or any affiliate, confidentiality obligations with respect to the Company or any affiliate, or otherwise in competition with the Company or any affiliate, to the extent specified in such award agreement. We may annul an outstanding award if the grantee thereof is an employee and is terminated for “Cause” as defined in the applicable award agreement or the Equity Plan, as applicable.

Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements and Other Material Agreements

Anthony Labozzetta

Employment Agreement with Anthony Labozzetta.  The Company and Sussex Bank are parties to an employment agreement with Mr. Labozzetta, pursuant to which he will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Sussex Bank. The employment agreement provides for a three-year term which is automatically extended for an additional year annually unless either party provides written notice terminating the automatic extension. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Labozzetta will receive a base salary of at least $315,000, subject to increase or decrease as determined by the Board. He has further beenPursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Labozzetta was granted 50,000 shares of our common stock, subject to forfeiture and restricted from transfer during the “Restricted Period,” as such term is defined in the employment agreement. 80% of these shares were vested as of January 1, 2016 and the remaining 20% will vestvested on January 1, 2017, subject2017. He is also entitled to acceleration in the event of a change in control or Mr. Labozzetta’s death or disability. He will also receive customary fringe benefits, including an automobile, or cash allowance, consistent with his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Sussex Bank.

Employment Agreement with Steven M. Fusco.  The Company and Sussex Bank entered into an employment agreement, dated June 23, 2010, with Mr. Fusco, pursuant to which he will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Sussex Bank. The employment agreement provides for a two-year term; provided, that at the end of the term, and each year thereafter, the term of the employment agreement shall automatically be renewed for an additional year until either party, by written notice provided at least 90 days prior to the end of the term, elects not to renew. Mr. Fusco’s employment agreement has been automatically renewed for an additional year beginning June 23, 2014. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Fusco will receive a base salary of at least $160,000, subject to increase or decrease as determined by the Board. Mr. Fusco is also entitled to receive customary fringe benefits, including the use of a Company automobile.

Employment Agreement with George Lista.  In September 2006, our Tri-State Insurance Agency subsidiary entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lista. Under Mr. Lista’s employment agreement, he was to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Tri-State Insurance Agency for an initial term of five years ending December 31, 2011. The term of the employment agreement will automatically renew for two additional one-year periods unless either Mr. Lista or Tri-State Insurance Agency provides notice of an intention not to renew. Accordingly, Mr. Lista’s employment agreement has been renewed such that it will expire no earlier than December 31, 2018. Mr. Lista currently receives a base salary of $185,974 annually, which is to be adjusted each January 1 to reflect the increase in the consumer price index. Mr. Lista is also entitled to receive commissions on insurance products sold by him, and he is also entitled to participate in our Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan.


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2017 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

The table below sets forth information regarding our named executive officers’ stock options and stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2017, whether granted in 2017 or earlier, including awards that have been transferred other than for value.

        
 Option Awards Stock Awards
Name Grant
Date
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) Unexercisable
 Option
Exercise
Price
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Grant
Date
 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not Vested(1)
($)
Anthony Labozzetta(2)  2/24/2016   2,243   8,973   12.83   2/23/2026   1/25/2017   17,065   458,195 
  2/6/2015   2,610   3,916   10.25   2/6/2025   2/9/2016   7,458   200,247 
  11/5/2014   10,800   7,200   9.97   11/5/2024   2/6/2015   2,352   63,151 
Steven M. Fusco(3)  2/24/2016   1,200   4,800   12.83   2/23/2026   1/25/2017   8,499   228,198 
  2/6/2015   1,752   2,629   10.25   2/6/2025   2/9/2016   3,167   85,034 
  11/5/2014   5,400   3,600   9.97   11/5/2024   2/6/2015   956   25,669 
George Lista(4)                 1/25/2017   4,000   107,400 
                           2/24/2016   667   17,909 
                           2/6/2015   284   7,625 
Sergio Musacchio(5)                 3/8/2017   1,050   28,193 
                           2/24/2016   2,398   64,386 

15(1)Market value is calculated on the basis of $26.85 per share, which is the closing sales price for our common stock on December 29, 2017, the final trading day of the year.
(2)2,352 shares will vest February 6, 2018; 10,000 shares will vest over five years beginning January 25, 2018; 7,065 shares will vest over three years beginning January 25, 2018 and 7,458 shares will vest over two years beginning February 9, 2018.
(3)956 shares will vest on February 6, 2018; 5,500 shares will vest over five years beginning January 25, 2018; 2,999 shares will vest over three years beginning January 25, 2018 and 3,167 shares will vest over two years beginning February 9, 2018.
(4)284 shares will vest on February 6, 2018; 4,000 shares will vest over five years beginning January 25, 2018 and 667 shares will vest over two years beginning February 24, 2018.
(5)1,050 shares will vest over three years beginning March 8, 2018 and 2,398 shares will vest over two years beginning July 18, 2018.

2017 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table sets forth information with respect to the aggregate number of options exercised and stock awards vesting during the last fiscal year and the value realized (no stock options were exercised in 2017):

  
 Stock Awards
Name Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
Anthony Labozzetta  19,800   416,712 
Steven M. Fusco  3,495   74,472 
George Lista  950   22,248 
Sergio Musacchio  1,199   28,896 

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2017 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

The following table provides details regarding the named executive officers’ participation in the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plans as of December 31, 2017:

     
Name Executive
Contributions in
Last FY
($)
 Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY
($)
 Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY
($)
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
 Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE
($)
Anthony Labozzetta     86,828   10,094      425,663 
Steven M. Fusco               
George Lista  23,488      5,177      210,398 
Sergio Musacchio               

Mr. Labozzetta’s SERP

On July 20, 2011, we entered into a SERP, a non-qualified defined contribution pension plan that provides supplemental retirement income for Mr. Labozzetta. The SERP was effective as of January 1, 2011. Based on the attainment of certain annual performance targets, we will make annual contributions up to a maximum of 22% of Mr. Labozzetta’s annual base salary to the SERP for the benefit of Mr. Labozzetta. Any amounts credited to the SERP will accrue interest equal to that paid by U.S. 10-year Treasury Notes for each applicable year. The SERP provides for the benefits to be paid monthly over a five-year period commencing the first day of the month following the later of Mr. Labozzetta’s 65th birthday, normal retirement age or termination of employment.

Amended and Restated Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan

As mentioned above, under the Plan, participants in the Plan (including our named executive officers) have the option to defer some or all of their compensation or cash incentive awards. Amounts so deferred will earn interest at a rate equal to the average interest rate earned by Sussex Bank on its investment portfolio.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

The following table shows the estimated benefits payable to our named executive officers in the event of the named executive officer’s termination of employment under various scenarios or upon a change in control of the Company. The amounts shown assume a termination of employment or change in control on December 31, 2017. Market values of equity awards were determined by multiplying the applicable number of shares of stock or units by $26.85, the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 29, 2017, the last trading day of the year. The amounts shown do not include payments or benefits provided under insurance or other plans that are generally available to all salaried employees. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the named executive officer’s separation from the Company or upon the occurrence of a change in control. Mr. Mussachio separated employment with the Company effective December 31, 2017 and will be paid salary continuation and provided medical benefits for the lesser of (i) nine months or (ii) until Mr. Mussachio is employed with another company. If salary continuation and medical benefits are provided for the full nine month period, the value of each would be $165,000 and $22,045, respectively.


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 Termination by Company
Without Cause or
Resignation by Executive
for Good Reason
(before a Change In Control)
 Termination by Company
Without Cause or
Resignation by Executive
for Good Reason
(after a Change In Control)
Anthony Labozzetta
          
Cash severance $437,908  $1,804,309 
SERP $425,663  $425,663 
Acceleration of Restricted Stock and Options(1)    $1,033,936 
Welfare Benefits(2) $29,846  $89,539 
Tax Gross-up(3)    $956,100 
Total $893,417  $4,309,547 
Steven Fusco
          
Cash severance $238,341  $476,682 
Acceleration of Restricted Stock and Options(1)    $510,606 
Welfare Benefits(4) $29,972  $59,944 
Total $268,313  $1,047,232(6) 

  
 Termination by Company
Without Cause or
Resignation by Executive
for Good Reason
(before a Change In Control)
 Termination by Company
Without Cause or
Resignation by Executive
for Good Reason
(after a Change In Control)
George Lista
          
Cash severance $345,133  $345,133 
Acceleration of Restricted Stock and Options
    $132,934 
Welfare Benefits(5) $7,427  $7,427 
Total $352,560  $485,494 

(1)These figures represent, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 29, 2017 ($26.85 per share), the aggregate value of outstanding shares of restricted stock and stock options awarded to each officer, to the extent the vesting of which would accelerate in the event of an involuntary termination of such officer’s employment under the circumstances presented. All such awards vest in full in the event of a “Change in Control Event”.
(2)Mr. Labozzetta is entitled to continued hospital, health, medical and life insurance and any like benefits in effect at the time of such termination without cause for the greater of one year or for the remainder of the applicable “Contract Period” or under a Change in Control event for three years.
(3)This figure represents an estimate of the “tax gross-up” amount Mr. Labozzetta would be entitled to under his employment agreement to the extent that the payments or benefits to which he becomes entitled would be subject to a 20% excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Such estimate is based on a number of assumptions, including that the full value of the restricted stock and stock options that vest would be considered a change in control payment for purposes of the excise tax. Facts and circumstances at the time of any change in control transaction and termination thereafter as well as changes in Mr. Labozzetta compensation history preceding such a transaction could materially impact whether and to what extent an excise tax would be imposed and therefore the amount of any potential tax gross-up.
(4)Mr. Fusco is entitled to continued hospital, health, medical and life insurance and any like benefits in effect at the time of such termination without cause for the greater of one year or for the remainder of the applicable “Contract Period” or under a Change in Control event for two years.
(5)Mr. Lista is entitled to continued hospital, health, medical and life insurance and any like benefits in effect at the time of such termination without cause for the remainder of the applicable “Contract Period”.
(6)Payments due for Mr. Fusco under Change in Control Agreement is subject to reduction to the extent

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necessary to ensure that no portion of the payments they are to receive will be non-deductible by the Company under Code Section 280G or will be subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4999.

Equity Plan

Subject to the exceptions described below, upon the occurrence of a “change in control,” as defined in the Equity Plan, all outstanding shares of restricted stock and all stock units will become immediately vested, and the shares of stock subject to outstanding stock units will be delivered immediately before the occurrence of the change in control. In addition, either of the following two actions will be taken:

15 days before the scheduled completion of the change in control, all options will become immediately exercisable and will remain exercisable for a period of 15 days, which exercise will be effective upon the consummation of the change in control; or
instead of providing for accelerated vesting in awards under the Equity Plan in connection with the change in control, the Compensation Committee may provide that awards, whether or not exercisable, will be terminated and the holders of awards will receive a cash payment, or the delivery of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities equivalent to such cash payment, equal to the value of the award.
In general, a “change in control” means:
ºa person or group becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our voting stock on a fully diluted basis;
ºa merger or consolidation of our Company, other than any such transaction in which the holders of our voting securities prior to the transaction own at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after the transaction;
ºa sale of substantially all of our assets to another person or entity; or
ºthe dissolution or liquidation of our Company.

If we are the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of our Company with one or more other entities that does not constitute a change in control, any option outstanding under the Equity Plan will apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock subject to the option would have been entitled immediately following the transaction, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the option exercise price.

The Compensation Committee may provide in any agreement under the Equity Plan for different provisions to apply to an award under the Equity Plan than those described above.

Employment Agreements and Other Material Agreements

Employment Agreement with Anthony Labozzetta.  Mr. Labozzetta’s employment agreement permits us to terminate Mr. Labozzetta’s employmenthim for cause (as defined in the agreement) at any time. In the event Mr. Labozzetta is terminated for any reason other than cause, or in the event Mr. Labozzetta resigns his employment because he is reassigned to a position of lesser rank or status than President and Chief Executive Officer, his place of employment is relocated by more than 50 miles from its location on the date of the employment agreement, or his compensation or other benefits are reduced, Mr. Labozzetta, or in the event of his death, his beneficiary, will be entitled to receive his base salary at the time of such termination or resignation for the remaining term of the employment agreement, or one year, whichever is greater. In addition, we will continue to provide Mr. Labozzetta with certain insurance and other benefits through the end of the term of the employment agreement.

Mr. Labozzetta’s employment agreement also contains a change in control provision which would entitle Mr. Labozzetta to receive an amount equal to the base salary he would have received had the employment agreement terminated according to its term, except that after the fifth anniversary of Mr. Labozzetta’s employment, he will be entitled to a payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary and 2.99 times the greater of the last bonus actually paid to him or his current bonus eligibility, assuming he performed at the targeted level. Mr. Labozzetta’s employment agreement also contains a “gross-up payment” in the event any excise tax is imposed on the benefits payable to Mr. Labozzetta upon a change in control. Mr. Labozzetta would also be entitled to continuation of his health, medical, hospital and life insurance benefits for a period of three years.


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Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. On July 20, 2011, we entered into a SERP, a non-qualified defined contribution pension plan that provides supplemental retirement income for Mr. Labozzetta. The SERP was effective as of January 1, 2011. Based on the attainment of certain annual performance targets, we will make annual contributions up to a maximum of 22% of Mr. Labozzetta’s annual base salary to the SERP for the benefit of Mr. Labozzetta. Any amounts credited to the SERP will accrue interest equal to that paid by U.S. 10-year Treasury Notes for each applicable year. The SERP provides for the benefits to be paid monthly over a five-year period commencing the first day of the month following the later of Mr. Labozzetta’s 65th birthday, normal retirement age or termination of employment..  If Mr. Labozzetta’s employment is terminated before normal retirement age, absent a change in control and other than by us for cause, the amount of the benefit payable to Mr. Labozzetta would be a 100% vested interest in his account if he completed at least 10 years of plan participation. If Mr. Labozzetta is terminated by us without cause or as a result of Mr. Labozzetta’s Resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the SERP), Mr. Labozzetta would be entitled to a 100% vested interest in his account regardless of the number of years of plan participation. If Mr. Labozzetta is employed by us at the time of a Change of Control (as defined in the SERP), Mr. Labozzetta would automatically be entitled to a 100% vested interest in his account regardless of the number of years of plan participation. If Mr. Labozzetta would become disabled or die before reaching normal retirement age, either he or his beneficiary would be entitled to a 100% vested interest in his account. The SERP also contains a restrictive covenant conditioning Mr. Labozzetta’s receipt of the benefits on his compliance with the non-compete provisions as defined in his employment agreement.

Employment Agreement with Steven M. Fusco

The Company and Sussex Bank entered into an employment agreement, dated June 23, 2010, with.  Mr. Fusco, pursuant to which he will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Sussex Bank. The employment agreement provides for a two-year term; provided, that at the end of the term, and each year thereafter, the term of the employment agreement shall automatically be renewed for an additional year until either party, by written notice provided at least 90 days prior to the end of the term, elects not to renew. Mr. Fusco’s employment agreement has been automatically renewed for an additional year beginning June 23, 2014. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Fusco will receive a base salary of at least $160,000, subject to increase or decrease as determined by the Board. Mr. Fusco has further been granted an award of 24,725 shares of our common stock pursuant to his employment agreement, subject to forfeiture and restricted from transfer during the “Restricted Period,” as such term is defined in the employment agreement. 80% of these shares were vested as of June 23, 2015 and the remaining 20% will vest June 23, 2016, subject to acceleration in the event of a change in control or Mr. Fusco’s death or disability. Mr. Fusco will also receive customary fringe benefits, including the use of a Company automobile.

The employment agreement permits us to terminate Mr. Fusco’shis employment for cause (as defined in the agreement) at any time. In the event Mr. Fusco is terminated for any reason other than cause, or in the event Mr. Fusco resigns his employment because he is reassigned to a position of lesser rank or status than Chief Financial Officer, his place of employment is relocated by more than 50 miles from its location on the date of the employment agreement, or his compensation or other benefits are reduced, Mr. Fusco, or in the event of his death, his beneficiary, will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to his base salary at the time of such termination or resignation for the remaining term of the employment agreement, or one year, whichever is greater. In addition, we will continue to provide Mr. Fusco with certain insurance and other benefits for the remaining term of the employment agreement, or one year, whichever is greater.

Mr. Fusco’s employment agreement also provides that upon the occurrence of a change in control, as such term is defined in the employment agreement, and in the event Mr. Fusco is subsequently terminated for reasons other than cause or in the event Mr. Fusco, within 18 months of the change in control, resigns his employment for good cause, he will be entitled to receive a lump sum severance payment equal to two times his then current base salary, which may be reduced, if necessary, to an amount which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three times Mr. Fusco’s “base amount,” as determined in accordance with such Section 280G of the Code.

16

Employment Agreement with George Lista

In September 2006, our Tri-State Insurance Agency subsidiary entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lista. Under.  Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Lista’s employment agreement, he was to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Tri-State Insurance Agency for an initial term of five years ending December 31, 2011. The term of the employment agreement will automatically renew for two additional one-year periods unless either Mr. Lista or Tri-State Insurance Agency provides notice of an intention not to renew. Accordingly, Mr. Lista’s employment agreement has been renewed such that it will expire no earlier than December 31, 2016. Mr. Lista currently receives a base salary of $169,332 annually, which is to be adjusted each January 1 to reflect the increase in the consumer price index. Mr. Lista is also entitled to receive commissions on insurance products sold by him, and he is also entitled to participate in our Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Lista may be terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement). In the event Mr. Lista’shis employment is terminated other than for cause, he will be entitled to receive his then currentthen-current base salary and insurance benefits for the remaining term of the employment agreement.agreement, which currently expires on December 31, 2018.

17

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Meeting Fees

Our non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $7,500,$12,500, except for the Chairman of the Board who receives an annual retainer of $60,000.$65,000. In addition, non-employee directors, other than the Chairman of the Board, receive a per-meeting fee of $500. Members of our committees also receive fees for committee service or for serving as the Chair of a committee. The Chair of our Audit Committee receives a per-meeting fee of $1,500 and committee members receive a per-meeting fee of $1,000. The Chair of our Compensation Committee receives a per-meeting fee of $1,500, and committee members receive a per-meeting fee of $750. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive a per-meeting fee of $300.

Director Deferred Compensation Agreement

The Board originally adopted a Director Deferred Compensation Agreement, or DDCA, for both Sussex Bank and the Company in July 2006, which has subsequently been amended. Under the terms of the DDCA, a director may elect to defer all or a portion of his fees for the coming year. UnderIn June 2016, the Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the DDCA onlywhich supersedes the paymentprior amendment from September 2015. The amendment, effective July 1, 2016, allows the Company’s Directors to elect to defer part or all of their fees into a stock account, consisting of the compensation earnedCompany’s common stock, which is deferred, and thereadministered through a rabbi trust. The Company is noresponsible for submitting each Director’s deferral to the trustee of the expense in our financial statements relatedrabbi trust to be used for the participant’s deferred compensation, which willpurchase of the Company’s common stock. Distributions from the Director’s stock account shall be charged to our income statement as an expensemade in the period in whichsame medium, the participant earned the compensation.Company’s common stock. The deferred amounts areDDCA also provides an option to defer into a cash account that is credited with earnings at a rate equal to either (i) the average interest rate earned by us on our investment portfolio,portfolio. The election of either stock or (ii)cash is completed by each director in advance of the total return of our common stock.In September 2015,year in which the Board of Directors adopted an amendment under the DDCA. The amendment, which is effective October 1, 2015, specifies that participantsfees are no longer eligible toearned and cannot be credited with earnings equal to the total return of our common stock on newchanged for amounts deferred after such date. Additionally, effective January 1, 2016,once the maximum earnings on deferred compensation amountselection is made for that are eligible to be credited with an earnings rateequal to the total return of our common stock is limited to 10% of the stock price at end of the previous plan year.

The participant’s benefit will be distributed to the participant or his beneficiary upon a change in control of the Company, the termination of the DDCA,DCA, the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency, the termination of the participant’s affiliation with the Company, the participant’s retirementservice or the participant’s death or disability. Upon distribution, a participant’s benefit will be paid in monthly installments over a period of 10ten years. Upon distribution, a participant’s benefit will be paid in cash to the extent such deferred amounts were credited with the average interest rate and in stock to the extent such deferred amounts were credits with the total return on our common stock.

2017 Director Compensation Table

The table below sets forth information regarding compensation accrued or paid to our non-employee directors during the last fiscal year for their service on our Board. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service as directors and are not set forth in the table below. Mr. D’Agosta and Mr. Loeffler were appointed in 2018 and did not earn and were not paid any fees for the period ending December 31, 2017.

    

Name

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash(1)
($) 

Stock
Awards(2)(3)
($) 

Option
Awards(2)(3)
($) 

Total
($) 

 Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash(1)
($)
 Stock
Awards(2)(3)
($)
 Option
Awards(2)(3)
($)
 Total
($)
 
Patrick E. Brady(4)22,3006,70329,003  33,350   15,995      49,345 
 
Richard Branca(4)24,3006,70331,003  33,850   15,995      49,845 
 
Katherine H. Caristia(4)25,7006,70332,403  33,800   15,995      49,795 
   
Mark J. Hontz(4)26,3006,70333,003  47,700   15,995      63,695 
   
Donald L. Kovach1,5001,500
   
Edward J. Leppert60,0006,70366,703  65,000   35,009      100,009 
   
Timothy Marvil(4)23,9006,70330,603  36,600   15,995      52,595 
   
Robert McNerney23,0006,70329,703
   
Charles A. Musilli(4)17,5006,70324,203
   
John E. Ursin(4)18,0006,70324,703
Robert McNerney(4)  30,900   15,995      46,895 
Michael X. McBride(4)  26,750   15,995      42,745 
John E. Ursin(5)  800         800 

_____________________

(1)Includes retainer payments, meeting fees and committee and/or chairmanship fees earned during the fiscal year, whether such fees were paid currently or deferred.

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(2)Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 with respect to restricted stock awards and option awards granted to our directors. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that the directors will recognize. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 17 — Stock Incentive Plans to our fiscal year 2017 consolidated financial statements, which is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2018.

18

(3)The following table lists the aggregate number of shares of restricted stock and options outstanding at year-end for each director:

Name 

Restricted
Stock
(#) 

Options
(#) 

Patrick E. Brady1,200
Richard Branca1,200
Katherine H. Caristia1,200
Mark J. Hontz1,200
Donald L. Kovach1,200
Edward J. Leppert1,200
Timothy Marvil1,200
Robert McNerney1,200
Charles A. Musilli600
John E. Ursin1,200

_____________________

  
Name Restricted
Stock
(#)(4)
 Options
(#)
Patrick E. Brady  1,370    
Richard Branca  1,370    
Katherine H. Caristia  1,370    
Mark J. Hontz  1,370    
Edward J. Leppert  2,126   4,000 
Timothy Marvil  1,370    
Robert McNerney  1,370    
Michael X. McBride  636    
John E. Ursin      
(4)Messrs. Brady, Branca, Hontz, Marvil, McNerney, Musilli and UrsinMcBride, and Ms. Caristia deferred $24,300, $6,575, $4,100, $23,000, $8,750, $18,000$33,350, $33,850 $9,540, $6,025, $30,900, $26,750, and $13,650,$33,800, respectively, of their fees pursuant to the DDCA.

19(5)Resigned in January 2017.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

We have made in the past and, assuming continued satisfaction of generally applicable credit standards, expect to continue to make loans to directors, executive officers and their associates (i.e. corporations or organizations for which they serve as officers or directors or in which they have beneficial ownership interests of 10% or more). These loans have all been made in the ordinary course of our business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

Other than the ordinary course lending transactions described above, which must be approved by our Board under bank regulatory requirements, all related-person transactions are reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. This authority is provided to our Audit Committee under its written charter. In reviewing these transactions, our Audit Committee seeks to ensure that each transaction is no less favorable than a transaction with an unaffiliated third party.

Compensation arrangements for our directors and named executive officers are described above under the sections entitled “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation.”

Certain Related-Person Transactions

Other than ordinary course lending transactions and compensation arrangements, the following is a description of transactions since January 1, 20142016 to which we were a participant or will be a participant, and in which:

the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our common stock, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

We rent our Augusta, New Jersey office location from a real estate management company of which our executive officer, Mr. Lista, is a 50% owner. The lease expiresexpired in July 2017. The Company paid to the real estate management company $147,203$148,188 and $145,738147,588 for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014.

2016.

Mr. Ursin, one of our directors,a former director who resigned effective January 25, 2017, is a partner of Schenk, Price, Smith & King LLP, a firm that renders various legal services to us. During 2015, 20142017 and 2013, Schenk,2016, Schenck, Price, Smith & King LLP received fees for legal services of $13,840, $63,156$77,765 and$108,172, $10,070, respectively.Prior to joining Schenk, Price, Smith & King LLP,

Mr. Ursin wasMcBride is a partner of Courter, Kobert & Cohne, PC,Connell Foley, a firm that renderedrenders various legal services to us. During 2013, Courter, Kobert & Cohne, PC2017, Connell Foley received feesfee’s for legal services of $15,889.$19,213.

20

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The table below sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of March 3, 2016,1, 2018, by (i) each director and nominee for director, (ii) each named executive officer, (iii) all our directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) each person who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our outstanding common stock. Other than as set forth in this table, we are not aware of any individual or group that holds in excess of 5% of our outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the shareholders in the table below is c/o Sussex Bancorp, 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700, Rockaway, New Jersey 07866.

Name of Beneficial Owner 

Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1) 

Percentage of
Common
Stock
Outstanding

   
Directors and Named Executive Officers:  
   
Patrick E. Brady(2)29,934*
   
Richard Branca(3)62,2821.3%
   
Katherine H. Caristia(4)21,224*
   
Mark J. Hontz(5)18,840*
   
Edward J. Leppert(6)121,0792.6%
   
Timothy Marvil(7)75,6301.6%
   
Robert McNerney(8)10,661*
   
Charles A. Musilli(9)6,312*
   
John E. Ursin(10)43,008*
   
Anthony Labozzetta(11)222,9864.8%
   
Steven M. Fusco(12)72,9451.6%
   
George Lista(13)76,8921.6%
   
Directors & Officers as a Group (16 persons)844,35517.7%
   
Other Shareholders:  
   
Banc Funds Company, LLC(14)
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
358,6887.7%
   
Entities affiliated with Lawrence B. Seidman(15)
100 Misty Lane, 1st Floor
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
266,7005.7%
  
Name of Beneficial Owner Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
 Percentage of
Common
Stock
Outstanding
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
          
Patrick E. Brady(2)  34,094   
Richard Branca(3)  74,821   1.0
Katherine H. Caristia(4)  29,114   
Dominick J. D’Agosta(5)  2,115   
Mark J. Hontz(6)  19,653   
Edward J. Leppert(7)  130,149   1.7
Walter E. Loeffler(8)  3,959   
Michael X. McBride(9)  5,899   
Robert McNerney(10)  15,401   
Anthony Labozzetta(11)  269,154   3.4
George Lista(12)  79,656   1.0
Steven M. Fusco(13)  91,682   1.2
Peter Michelotti(14)  37,612   
Directors & Officers as a Group (14 persons)  846,358   10.5
Other Shareholders:
          
Basswood Capital Management LLC(15)
645 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10022
  594,167   7.5
Banc Funds Company, LLC(16)
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
  534,877   6.8

_________________________ 

*Less than 1% of the total outstanding shares of common stock.

(1)This table is based solely upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal shareholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the shareholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 4,665,5907,925,214 shares outstanding on February 12, 2016,March 1, 2018, plus any shares of common stock such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of February 12, 2016.March 1, 2018.

(2)Consists of: a) 14,11716,165 shares as to which Mr. Brady has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,2001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 14,61716,559 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(3)Consists of: a) 49,81659,915 shares as to which Mr. Branca has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,2001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 11,26613,536 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(4)Consists of: a) 16,73321,505 shares as to which Ms. Caristia has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,2001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which she has sole voting power; and c) 3,2916,239 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

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(5)Consists of: a) 9,9362,108 shares as to which Mr. D’Agosta has sole voting and investment power and b) 7 shares issuable pursuant to the DDCA.
(6)Consists of: a) 9,197 shares as to which Mr. Hontz has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,2001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; c) 3,3494,062 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA; and d) 4,3555,024 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Hontz’s benefit as to which he has sole voting and investment power.

(6)(7)Consists of: a) 37,64943,207 shares as to which Mr. Leppert has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,2001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; c) 34,64434,680 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Leppert’s benefit as to which he has sole voting and investment power; d) 9,0349,055 shares held in an IRA for his spouse which he has no voting or investment power; and e) 38,55240,237 shares issuable pursuant to the DDCA and f) 1,600 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.27, 2017.

(7)Consists of: a) 22,146 shares as to which Mr. Marvil shares voting and investment power with his spouse; b) 1,200 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; c) 47,281 shares held in the Joel D. Marvil Residual Trust which, as trustee, he has sole voting and investment power; and d) 5,003 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(8)Consists of: a) 5,4983,868 shares as to which Mr. McNerneyLoeffler has sole voting and investment power and b) 91 shares issuable pursuant to the DDCA.
(9)Consists of: a) 4,166 shares as to which Mr. McBride has sole voting and investment power; b) 1,200636 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 3,9631,097 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(9)(10)Consists of: a) 4,8156,928 shares as to which Mr. Musilli sharesMcNerney has sole voting and investment power with his spouse;power; b) 6001,370 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 8977,103 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(10)Consists of: a) 600 shares as to which Mr. Ursin has sole voting and investment power; b) 33,400 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Ursin’s benefit as to which he has sole voting and investment power; c) 300 shares held in an IRA for his spouse which he has no voting or investment power; d) 1,200 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and e) 7,508 shares issuable within 60 days of February 12, 2016 pursuant to the DDCA.

(11)Consists of: a) 177,458206,324 shares as to which Mr. Labozzetta has sole voting and investment power; b) 29,61032,574 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; c) 7,2047,246 shares held for the benefit of his sons as to which he has sole voting and investment power; d) 3,809 shares held in an IRA for his spouse which he has no voting or investment power; and e) 4,90519,201 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of February 12, 2016.March 1, 2018.

(12)Consists of: a) 32,93473,602 shares as to which Mr. Lista has sole voting and investment power; b) 4,951 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 1,103 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Lista’s benefit as to which he has sole voting and investment power.
(13)Consists of: a) 41,374 shares as to which Mr. Fusco has sole voting and investment power; b) 12,56315,108 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; c) 23,722 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Fusco’s benefit as to which he has sole voting and investment power; d) 1,050 shares held for the benefit for his daughters as to which he has sole voting and investment power; and e) 2,67610,428 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of February 12, 2016.March 1, 2018.

(13)(14)Consists of: a) 73,55513,675 shares as to which Mr. ListaMichelotti has sole voting and investment power; b)2,234 unvested shares of restricted stock as to which he has sole voting power; and c) 1,103 2,000 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Lista’sMichelotti’s benefit as to which he has sole voting; c) 90 shares held in an IRA for his spouse which he has no voting or investment power; and investment power.d) 21,847 shares held in the name of P. Michelotti and Sons as to which he has shared voting power with Lawrence Michelotti, Jr.

(14)(15)Consists of: a) 358,688594,167 shares held by Basswood Capital Management LLC.
(16)Consists of: 534,877 shares held by Banc Funds Company, LLC.

(15)Consists of: a) 63,433 shares held by Seidman and Associates, L.L.C., or SAL; b) 42,350 shares held by Seidman Investment Partnership, L.P., or SIP; c) 49,800 shares held by Seidman Investment Partnership II, L.P., or SIPII; d) 6,683 shares held by Seidman Investment Partnership III, L.P., or SIPIII; e) 33,984 shares held by Broad Park Investors, L.L.C., or Broad Park; f) 28,533 shares held by LSBK06-08, L.L.C., or LSBK; g) 29,534 shares held by CBPS, LLC, or CBPS; and h) 12,383 shares held by 2514 Multi-Strategy Fund, L.P., or 2514 MSF. Veteri Place Corporation, or Veteri, i) as the corporate general partner of each of SIP and SIPII, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by SIP and SIPII and ii) as the trading advisor of LSBK and CBPS, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by LSBK and CBPS. JBRC I, LLC, or JBRC, as the co-general partner of SIPIII, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by SIPIII. Lawrence B. Seidman i) as the manager of SAL, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by SAL, ii) as the sole officer of Veteri, the corporate general partner of each of SIP and SIPII, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by SIP and SIPII, iii) as the managing member of JBRC, the co-general partner of SIPIII, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by SIPIII, iv) as the sole officer of Veteri, the trading advisor of LSBK and CBPS, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by LSBK and CBPS and v) as the investment manager for each of Broad Park and 2514 MSF, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by Broad Park and 2514 MSF. In the foregoing capacities, Mr. Seidman has sole and exclusive investment discretion and voting authority with respect to all such shares. Each of SAL, SIP, SIPII, SIPIII, Broad Park, LSBK, CBPS, 2514 MSF, Veteri, JBRC and Mr. Seidman specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares that it or he does not directly own.

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to report to the SEC their initial ownership of our common stock and any subsequent changes in that ownership. Specific due dates for these reports have been established by the SEC and we are required to disclose in this proxy statement any late filings or failures to file.

Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, we believe that, during the 20152017 fiscal year, all of our directors and executive officers complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them, except that Mr. Musilli’s Form 3, dated July 23, 2014, did not include 1,000 shares of common stock of Sussex Bancorp that Mr. Musilli owned before becoming a reporting person.. On Mr. Musilli’s behalf, Sussex filed a Form 5 on February 16, 2015 to reflect the 1,000 shares of common stock that were not originally included on his Form 3.them.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

Set forth below is certain information, as of December 31, 2015,2017, regarding our equity compensation plans for which we have previously obtained shareholder approval and our equity compensation plans for which we have not previously obtained shareholder approval.

Plan Category

Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(#) 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
($) 

Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
(#) 

 (a)(b)(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:   
    
2001 Stock Option Plan
    
2004 Equity Incentive Plan
    
2013 Equity Incentive Plan51,98510.06185,335
    
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders:
    
Total51,98510.06185,335

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Plan Category Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(#)
 Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
($)
 Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
(#)
   (a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:
               
2001 Stock Option Plan         
2004 Equity Incentive Plan         
2013 Equity Incentive Plan  69,123   11.10   82,229 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders:         
Total  69,123   11.10   82,229 

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed BDO to act as our independent registered public accounting firm and to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2018. This appointment will continue at the pleasure of the Audit Committee and is presented to the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. In the event that this appointment is not ratified by our shareholders, the Audit Committee will consider that fact when it selects our independent auditors for the following fiscal year.

During our two most recently completed fiscal years, and through the date of our engagement of BDO, neither we nor anyone acting on our behalf has consulted with BDO with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided by BDO to us that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” as those terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.

One or more representatives of BDO will be present at the Annual Meeting, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and such representatives will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

Vote Required

The ratification of the appointment of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 20162018 will require “FOR” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Similarly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Our Recommendation

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, we retained and paid BDO to provide audit and other services as follows:

 2015  2014   
      2017 2016
Audit Fees(1) $113,940  $103,216  $243,154  $157,896 
Audit-Related Fees(2)  17,820   16,250   137,846    
Tax Fees(3)  25,967   27,889   26,500   28,812 
All Other Fees  4,320          
Total $162,047  $147,355  $407,500  $186,708 

___________________

(1)Includes professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in Forms 10-Q, or services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings (i.e., attest services required by FDICIA or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), including out-of-pocket expenses.

(2)Assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements include the following: employee benefit plan audits, due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, accounting consultations and audits in connection with acquisitions and other attest services not required by statute or regulation.

(3)Tax fees include the following: preparation of state and federal tax returns, PA Bankshare tax return and assistance with calculating estimated tax payments.

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PROPOSAL 3

NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON THE COMPENSATION
OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 requires us to provide our shareholders an opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, or Say-on-Pay. This vote does not address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. At the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders recommended that we hold an advisory vote on executive compensation each year. The Board affirmed the shareholders’ recommendation and will hold Say-on-Pay advisory votes on an annual basis until the next required shareholder vote on the frequency of the Say-on-Pay advisory vote, which is scheduled to be held at the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders.

Vote Required

The approval of the non-binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers will require “FOR” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote shares on this proposal without direction from the beneficial owner. Therefore, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Our Recommendation

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

General

The compensation of our named executive officers is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and narrative disclosure contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. As discussed in those disclosures, the Board believes that our executive compensation provides a strong link between each named executive officer’s compensation and our short and long-term performance. The objective of our executive compensation program is to provide compensation that is competitive based on our performance and aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders.

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting as a resolution in substantially the following form:

RESOLVED, on an advisory basis, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.

Your vote on this Proposal 3 is advisory and therefore not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or the Board. Your advisory vote will serve as an additional tool to guide the Board and the Compensation Committee in continuing to align our executive compensation with our best interest and that of our shareholders.

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PROPOSAL 4

AMENDMENT TO OUR RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE THE COMPANY’S NAME

On January 24, 2018, the Board unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that our Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended to change the name of the Company from “Sussex Bancorp” to “SB One Bancorp.” The Board believes that the change in the Company’s name is an important component of management’s strategic plan to create better alignment between our corporate and product brands.

Vote Required

The approval of the amendment of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the Company will require “For” votes from a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast and they will have no effect on the vote. Similarly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

Our Recommendation

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR RESTATED CERTIFIATE OF INCOROPRATION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COMPANY.

Proposed Amendment

If the proposed amendment is approved, Article I of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation will be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

Corporate Name
The name of the Corporation is SB One Bancorp.

Effect of the Proposed Amendment

If approved by our shareholders, the proposed amendment will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment with the State of New Jersey Department of Treasury. Upon approval of this proposal and the filing of the certificate of amendment, the Board will amend our Bylaws to replace any reference to “Sussex Bancorp” with “SB One Bancorp.”

Our common stock is currently listed for trading on NASDAQ under the symbol “SBBX.” If the amendment is approved and the name change becomes effective, our common stock will continue to be listed on NASDAQ. We expect that our common stock will still be trading with the same symbol.

If the name change becomes effective, the rights of shareholders holding certificated shares under currently outstanding stock certificates and the number of shares represented by those certificates will remain unchanged. The name will not affect the validity or transferability of any currently outstanding stock certificates nor will it be necessary for shareholders with certificated shares to surrender any stock certificates they currently hold as a result of the name change.

If the name change is not approved, the proposed amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation will not be made and the name of the Company and our ticker symbol for trading our common stock on NASDAQ will remain unchanged. In making this recommendation, the Board is retaining the ability to, without further vote by our shareholders, delay or abandon the proposed name change at any time if the Board concludes that such action would be in our best interest and that of our shareholders.


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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.

This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are our shareholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker.

You may also request an additional proxy statement and annual report by sending a written request to:

Sussex Bancorp
Attn: Linda Kuipers, Secretary
100 Enterprise Drive
Suite 700
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board is not aware of any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting. However, in the event such other matters come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on any such matters in accordance with the recommendation of the Board.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

[GRAPHIC MISSING]


[GRAPHIC MISSING]
Linda Kuipers
Secretary
Rockaway, New Jersey
March 24, 201627, 2018

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[GRAPHIC MISSING]