SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant (X) Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ( ) Check the appropriate box: ( ) Preliminary Proxy Statement ( ) Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) (X) Definitive Proxy Statement ( ) Definitive Additional Materials ( ) Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): (X) $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A. ( ) $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3). ( ) Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: ( ) Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. ( ) Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule, or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 401 Spring Lane Suite 300 JAMES S. QUARFORTH P. O. Box 1990 PRESIDENT AND Waynesboro, VA 22980 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Telephone 540 946-3500 FAX 540 946-3595 March 14, 1996 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend our 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 1996. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn at the intersection of Route 275 and I-81, North of Staunton, Virginia. Refreshments will be available between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. You will find complete information about the meeting in the enclosed Notice and Proxy Statement. Your 1995 Annual Report is sent to you herewith. We sincerely hope you will be able to be present at the meeting, but whether or not you plan to attend, we request that you sign your Proxy Card and mail it in the enclosed envelope. The prompt return of your Proxy will be appreciated. Sincerely, James S. Quarforth President and Chief Executive Officer CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Notice is Hereby Given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY (the "Meeting") will be held at the Holiday Inn at the intersection of Route 275 and I-81, North of Staunton, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 16, 1996, at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To elect one director for a one-year term expiring in 1997; and (2) To elect one director for a two-year term expiring in 1998; and (3) To elect three directors for three-year terms expiring in 1999; and (4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment. Only shareholders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on February 26, 1996 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors C. S. Smith Corporate Secretary Waynesboro, Virginia March 14, 1996 IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. SHAREHOLDERS ATTENDING THE MEETING MAY PERSONALLY VOTE ON ALL MATTERS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED, IN WHICH EVENT THE SIGNED PROXIES ARE REVOKED. 2 CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 16, 1996 This Proxy Statement is furnished to the Shareholders of CFW Communications Company (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 1996, at the Holiday Inn at the intersection of Route 275 and I-81, North of Staunton, Virginia, and at any adjournment. The mailing address of the Company's Corporate Office is 401 Spring Lane, Suite 300, P. O. Box 1990, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980. The Company's subsidiaries are Clifton Forge-Waynesboro Telephone Company, CFW Network Inc., CFW Cellular Inc., CFW Communications Services Inc., CFW Cable Inc., CFW Cable of Virginia Inc., CFW Information Services Inc. and CFW Licenses Inc. Solicitations of proxies will be made by use of the United States mail and may be made by direct or telephone contact by employees of the Company or First Union National Bank of North Carolina. All solicitation expenses will be borne by the Company. Brokerage houses and nominees will be requested to forward the proxy materials to the beneficial holders of the shares held of record by these persons and the Company will reimburse them for their reasonable charges in this connection. Shares represented by duly executed proxies in the accompanying form received by First Union National Bank of North Carolina prior to the Meeting will be voted at the Meeting. The Company does not know of any matters other than those referred to in the accompanying Notice which are to come before the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for action, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment. Where a shareholder directs in the proxy a choice with respect to any matter that is to be voted on, that direction will be followed. If no direction is made, proxies will be voted for the election of one Class I and one Class III Director and the re-election of the three Class II Directors. Any person who has returned a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by submitting a subsequently dated proxy, or by voting in person at the Meeting. The close of business on February 26, 1996, has been fixed as the record date (the "Record Date") for the Meeting and any adjournment. As of that date, there were 12,981,843 Common Shares outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote. As of the Record Date, and on the date hereof, no person was known to the Company to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company. This Proxy Statement and enclosed proxy card are being mailed to shareholders beginning on or about March 14, 1996. An Annual Report to Shareholders including financial statements for the years ending December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 is enclosed. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The names and employment histories of the five nominees, four current Directors and Executive Officers are indicated in the following table. The number and percentage of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each as of the Record Date is also indicated. Class I, Class II and Class III Directors are eligible for election at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The nominees listed below are Directors, initially appointed to the Board in December 1995, who have consented to stand for election as Class I and Class III Directors of the Company to serve one and two-year terms expiring at the 1997 and 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, respectively, and current Directors who have consented to stand for re-election as Class II Directors of the Company to serve three-year terms expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company. It is not anticipated that any nominee for election will become unable to serve as a Director of the Company, but if any or all are unable to accept nomination, it is intended that shares represented by proxies in the accompanying form will be voted for the election of substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors. A quorum being present, the persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast will be elected as Directors. Votes that are withheld and shares held in street name that are not voted in the election of directors will not be included in determining the number of votes cast. Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying form of proxy, it is intended that votes will be cast for the election of all of the nominees as directors. 3 Common Stock Principal Occupation Sole Voting and Business and Invest- Percentage Experience for Name ment Power Other (a) Total of Class Past 5 years - - ---- ----------- --------- ----- ---------- ---------------- CLASS I DIRECTORS - Nominee for Election C. Wilson McNeely, III 2,000 0 2,000 .02% President Age 53 Eagle Corporation Director since December 1995 (Manufacturer of concrete products and distributor of fuel oils)) Charlottesville, VA CLASS II DIRECTORS - Nominees for Election John B. Mitchell, Sr. 1,413 3,139 4,552 .03% President Age 55 Hammond-Mitchell, Inc. Director since 1989 (Construction Contractor) Covington, VA James S. Quarforth 10,200 76,360 86,560 .66% President and Chief Age 41 Executive Officer Director since 1987 since May 1, 1990 (Formerly Executive Vice President-Operations from January 1, 1989 to May 1, 1990) CFW Communications Company and Subsidiaries Waynesboro, VA; Director of Planters Bank and Trust Company of Virginia, Staunton, VA and Director of American Telecasting, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO Carl A. Rosberg 6,548 44,550 51,098 .39% Senior Vice President Age 43 since May 1, 1990 Director since 1992 (Formerly Vice President- Administration since January 1, 1989) CFW Communications Company and Subsidiaries Waynesboro, VA and Director of American Telecasting, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO 4 Common Stock Principal Occupation Sole Voting and Business and Invest- Percentage Experience for Name ment Power Other (a) Total of Class Past 5 years - - ---- ----------- --------- ----- ---------- ---------------- CLASS III DIRECTORS - Nominee for Election John N. Neff 100 800 900 .01% President and Chief Age 44 Executive Officer Director since December 1995 Nielsen Construction Company/Nielsen Management Group, Inc. Harrisonburg, VA CLASS I DIRECTORS - Terms Expire 1998 C. Phillip Barger 173,736 896 174,632 1.33% Chairman Age 67 E. W. Barger and Company Director since 1963 T/A Barger Insurance Waynesboro, VA Meredith E. Yeago (b) 52,971 31,755 84,726 .65% Retired (Vice President Age 73 and Treasurer until May 1, Director since 1969 1989) CFW Communications Company and Subsidiaries Waynesboro, VA CLASS III DIRECTORS - Terms Expire 1997 William Wayt Gibbs, V 76,934 117,547 194,481 1.48% President and Chief Age 55 Executive Officer Director since 1977 Comprehensive Computer Consultants (Formerly President, Shenandoah Microcomputer Services, Inc.) Staunton, VA Robert S. Yeago, Jr. (b) 17,211 91,803 109,014 .83% Chairman of the Board Age 71 (President and Director since 1973 Chief Executive Officer until May 1, 1990) CFW Communications Company and Subsidiaries Waynesboro, VA 5 Common Stock Sole Voting and Invest- Percentage Name ment Power Other (a) Total of Class - - ---- ----------- --------- ----- ---------- NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Christina S. Smith 3,210 1,500 4,710 .04% Age 35 David R. Maccarelli 655 14,050 14,705 .11% Age 43 J. William Brownlee 33,012 14,300 47,312 .36% Age 55 Michael B. Moneymaker 3,355 0 3,355 .03% Age 38 All officers and directors as a group (14 persons) 381,582 397,950 779,532 5.94% - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Includes shares held by spouses, children, trusts and companies in which the director or officer owns a controlling interest. Also includes 152,010 shares subject to options exercisable within sixty days. (b) Robert S. Yeago, Jr. is a first cousin to Meredith E. Yeago. Based on a review of the forms and written representations received by the Company pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company believes that during 1995 its directors and executive officers complied with all applicable Section 16 filing requirements. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD C. Phillip Barger, James S. Quarforth, Meredith E. Yeago and Robert S. Yeago, Jr. comprise the Executive Committee of the Board. Two committee meetings were held during 1995. The Company has a standing Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Stock Option Committee. The Audit Committee, consisting of C. Phillip Barger, William Wayt Gibbs, V, and Meredith E. Yeago, had three meetings in 1995 for the purpose of approving the 1994 audit, reviewing audit procedures and recommending an accounting firm to the Board to serve as independent public auditors to make an audit of the financial statements of the Company for the year 1995 and to perform certain non-audit services. The Compensation Committee, consisting of C. Phillip Barger, John B. Mitchell, Sr. and Robert S. Yeago, Jr., held one meeting during the year for the purpose of determining wage and salary increases. The Stock Option Committee, consisting of C. Phillip Barger, John B. Mitchell, Sr. and Robert S. Yeago, Jr., held one meeting during the year for the purpose of granting stock options to certain key employees of the Company. During the year, the Chairman of the Board appointed a Board of Directors Selection Committee consisting of John B. Mitchell, C. Phillip Barger, James S. Quarforth and Robert S. Yeago, Jr. This committee met three times during the year to consider and make a recommendation on the number of Board of Director members and to prepare a list of names and qualifications to be considered for future Board members. The full Board of Directors has the responsibilities of a Nominating Committee whose functions include consideration of the size, composition and continuity of the Board. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board will consider candidates suggested by shareholders. Any shareholder recommendation for a nominee for director at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, together with a description of the proposed nominee's qualifications, relevant biographical information and the proposed nominee's signed consent to serve if elected, should be submitted in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company not later than February 13, 1997. The Board of Directors held six regular meetings during 1995. All directors, with the exception of C. Phillip Barger, attended more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees of which he is a member. Mr. Barger attended 63% of the meetings of the Board and committees of which he is a member. 6 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLES The following tables set forth information as to compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the next three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named Executives") for 1995, with comparisons to 1994 and 1993 information, as well as option grants and exercises for 1995: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Long Term Compensation Annual Compensation Awards - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name and Options/ All Other Principal Position Year Salary Bonus SARs Compensation1/ - - ------------------ ---- ------ ----- ---- -------------- James S. Quarforth 1995 $165,000 $46,077 6,000 $5,754 President & Chief 1994 150,000 38,931 6,000 5,835 Executive Officer 1993 137,500 38,640 6,400 4,346 Carl A. Rosberg 1995 118,308 22,223 4,000 5,371 Senior Vice President 1994 107,316 22,535 3,000 5,001 1993 95,016 21,041 4,500 3,316 David R. Maccarelli 1995 95,004 19,162 3,000 4,334 Senior Vice President 1994 89,000 15,858 3,000 4,162 1993 79,333 17,716 13,800 1,348 J. William Brownlee 1995 82,416 21,540 2,000 3,860 Vice President- 1994 78,816 17,479 2,000 3,185 Telephone Operations 1993 75,216 16,657 3,000 3,102 1/ In 1995 the Company made contributions to the savings plan of $4,278 for James S. Quarforth, $4,279 for Carl A. Rosberg, $3,439 for David R. Maccarelli, and $3,291 for J. William Brownlee. In addition, the Company made group life insurance premium payments of $1,476 for James S. Quarforth, $1,092 for Carl A. Rosberg, $895 for David R. Maccarelli, and $569 for J. William Brownlee. In 1994 the Company made contributions to the savings plan of $4,269 for James S. Quarforth, $3,905 for Carl A. Rosberg, $3,243 for David R. Maccarelli, and $2,910 for J. William Brownlee. In addition, the Company made group life insurance premium payments of $1,566 for James S. Quarforth, $1,096 for Carl A. Rosberg, $919 for David R. Maccarelli, and $275 for J. William Brownlee. 7 OPTION/SAR GRANTS TABLE Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year Potential Real- izable Value At Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation Individual Grants For Option Term - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- % of Total Options/ Options/SARs Exercise SARs Granted to or Base Granted(1) Employees in Price Expiration Name (Shares) Fiscal Year Per Share Date 5%(2) 10%(2) ---- ---------- ------------ --------- ---- -- --- James S. Quarforth 6,000 13.6% $19.375 06/26/2005 $73,109 $185,273 Carl A. Rosberg 4,000 9.0% 19.375 06/26/2005 48,739 123,515 David R. Maccarelli 3,000 6.8% 19.375 06/26/2005 36,555 92,636 J. William Brownlee 2,000 4.5% 19.375 06/26/2005 24,370 61,758 (1) No SARs were granted in tandem with stock options. (2) In order to realize the potential value set forth, the price per share of the Company's common stock would be approximately $31.60 and $50.25, respectively, at the end of the ten year option term. Over the last ten years, the market price of the Company's stock has increased at a compounded annual rate of 23%. OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND YEAR END VALUE TABLE Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and FY-End Option/SAR Value Value of Unexercised Number of Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs at Options/SARs FY-End (Shares) FY-End Shares Acquired Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/ Name On Exercise Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable ---- ----------- -------- ------------- ------------- James S. Quarforth 3,444 $38,315 76,360 / 21,596 $667,854 / $6,457 Carl A. Rosberg 1,200 11,850 44,550 / 6,250 262,125 / 0 David R. Maccarelli 500 1,375 9,604 / 9,696 0 / 0 J. William Brownlee 6,132 78,950 22,300 / 3,500 99,650 / 0 Closing price on December 31, 1995 was $17.625 and was used in calculating the value of unexercised options. 8 PENSION PLAN/DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN DISCLOSURE The Company has a funded retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") for its employees. The benefit formula provides that the accrued benefit of a participant will be equal to 1.23% times participant's highest average monthly compensation times years of service plus 0.5% times participant's highest average monthly compensation in excess of covered compensation times years of service. The following table illustrates the amount of annual retirement benefits payable under the Retirement Plan for an employee retiring in 1995 at age 65 computed on a straight life annuity basis. Amounts listed are not subject to any deduction for Social Security or other offset. Average Annual Annual Retirement Benefits Payable for Compensation Respective Years of Service ------------ --------------------------- 10 years 20 years 30 years 40 years -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 80,000 $12,550 $25,100 $ 37,650 $ 50,200 100,000 16,010 32,020 48,030 64,040 120,000 19,470 38,940 58,410 77,880 140,000 22,930 45,860 68,790 91,720 160,000 26,390 52,780 79,170 105,560 180,000 29,850 59,700 89,550 119,400 200,000 33,310 66,620 99,930 133,240 220,000 36,770 73,540 110,310 147,080 The number of credited years of service for James S. Quarforth, Carl A. Rosberg, David R. Maccarelli and J. William Brownlee is 16 years, 7 years, 3 years and 32 years, respectively. The Company is utilizing insurance to fund supplemental retirement benefits for certain of the named executive officers. The amount of the annual benefit is based on the cash surrender value of the insurance policy payable upon retirement at normal retirement age. The estimated annual benefits at normal retirement age for James S. Quarforth, Carl A. Rosberg, David R. Maccarelli and J. William Brownlee are $130,200, $36,700, $34,500 and $2,600, respectively. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Non-management directors receive a monthly retainer fee of $700 and $300 for each meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional monthly retainer fee of $500. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION As members of the Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee it is our duty to monitor the performance and compensation of executive officers and other key employees and to make appropriate recommendations and reports to the Board concerning matters of executive compensation. The Company maintains a compensation program designed to motivate, retain and attract management, with incentives linked to financial performance and enhanced shareholder value. The fundamental philosophy is to relate the amount of compensation for an executive directly to his or her contribution to the Company's success in achieving superior performance objectives. The Company's executive compensation program consists of three components: 1) base salary; 2) potential for annual incentive compensation based on Company performance; and, 3) the opportunity to earn long-term stock-based incentives which are intended to encourage achievement of superior long-term results and to align executive officer interests with those of the shareholders. The base salary element is developed based on the performance of the individual executives with reference to industry, peer group and national surveys, with the objective of having the Company's chief executive officer receive a level of base salary similar to the average base salary of chief executives at similarly sized technological service companies. Base salary levels of the Company's other executive officers are established by reference to the chief executive officer's salary, depending on the type and level of responsibility of the other executives. The annual incentive compensation element is based on the Company's attainment of certain levels of profitability, service and on the individual's overall performance, all as set forth in the Company's annual 9 management incentive plan. The criteria contained in the Company's annual management incentive compensation plan is developed in conjunction with the Company's annual business plan. The long-term stock-based element is developed by reference to competitive practices and trends of other companies which use stock options as a component of executive compensation. Long-term stock-based incentives are given great weight in the Company's overall compensation mix in order to incentivize executive officers to increase shareholder value. Accordingly, the Committee has taken into account the amount and value of options held by each of the executive officers when considering new grants to assure that deserving executives have a significant equity participation in the Company. The Chief Executive Officer's total compensation increased by $22,146 or 11.7% in 1995 compared to 1994. A number of factors and criteria were utilized by the Compensation Committee in evaluating the increase in total compensation. Industry market surveys as well as individual performance were utilized to determine the base salary increase of $15,000 or 10%. The incentive portion of total compensation increased $7,146 or 18.4%, primarily as a result of the strong financial performance of the Company. During 1995, the Company's consolidated net operating revenues increased $11.3 million or 35%, operating cash flows (operating income before depreciation and amortization) increased $3.4 million or 20% and net income increased $0.9 million or 12%. The Compensation Committee also considers the Chief Executive Officer's continued leadership in advancing the Company's long-term strategic business goals. Specifically, during 1995, the Company launched its directory assistance business, acquired a coaxial cable television business, expanded wireless cable into the Richmond, Virginia market, constructed competitive access fiber optic facilities in the Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Virginia markets and successfully introduced new services such as prepaid calling cards and local internet access. Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee R. S. Yeago, Jr. C. Phillip Barger John B. Mitchell, Sr. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION Robert S. Yeago, Jr., a Director and member of the Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee of the Company, formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer. 10 PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company's Common Stock to the NASDAQ Composite Index and to the S&P Telecommunications Index (which includes the seven Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCS), GTE and ALLTEL) for the Company's last five fiscal years. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in each scenario was $100 at December 31, 1990 and that all dividends were reinvested in their respective common stock issue in the month paid. 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- CFW Communications Company 100 132 175 250 211 185 NASDAQ Composite Index 100 161 187 215 210 296 S&P Telecom Index 100 134 178 202 184 247 11 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders contains audited financial statements for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and the report of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP thereon. Management's Discussion and Analysis of financial condition and results of operations is also contained in this 1995 Annual Report. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS The firm of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, P. O. Box 1276, Richmond, Virginia, independent public accountants, audited the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1995, and no change is contemplated for 1996. A representative of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to make a statement if he desires to do so and to answer appropriate questions with respect to that firm's audit of the Company's financial statements and records for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS In order for proposals of shareholders to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and Proxy for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such proposals must be received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company by February 13, 1997. FORM 10-K Upon written request to the Corporate Office of the Company, P. O. Box 1990, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980, shareholders will be furnished without charge a copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial statements and the schedules thereto for the most recent fiscal year. Waynesboro, Virginia March 14, 1996 CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby constitutes M. E. Yeago and C. S. Smith, or either of them and proxies, with power of substitution in each, to act for the undersigned with respect to all common stock of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Holiday Inn at the intersection of Route 275 and I-81, North of Staunton, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 16, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal 1. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (one Class I, one Class III, and three Class II) FOR all nominees listed below WITHHOLD AUTHORITY (except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a line through the nominee's name in the list below.) C. Wilson McNeely, III John N. Neff John B. Mitchell, Sr. James S. Quarforth Carl A. Rosberg (Class I) (Class III) (Class II) (Class II) (Class II) 2. To vote on such other business, if any, that may properly come before the meeting. ( ) Please check box if you plan to attend meeting. ------------------------------------ - - ----------------------------, 1996 ------------------------------------ Date (Please sign your name(s) exactly as shown hereon.) THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION OF THE CLASS I , II and III DIRECTORS.