Company: ADAMM
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001273685-25-000038
Chunk: 30

Company: ADAMAS TRUST, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 30
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 will have the authority and responsibility as delegated to them by our Board of Directors.

#### Executive Sessions of Our Independent Directors
The independent directors of our Board of Directors regularly meet in executive session that excludes members of the management team. During 2024, the independent directors of our Board of Directors met in executive session four times. Our Board of Directors has established a process by which the Lead Director presides over meetings of our independent directors. Pursuant to this process, the Lead Director has the power to lead the meetings of our independent directors, set the agenda and determine the information to be provided. However, in practice, these meetings generally allow for each participant to raise such matters and discuss such business as that independent director deems necessary or desires. Stockholders and other interested persons may contact the Lead Director, who is independent, in writing by mail c/o New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Attention: Secretary. All such letters will be forwarded to the Lead Director. For more information on how to communicate with our other directors, see “—Communications with Our Board of Directors.”

#### Board of Directors Leadership Structure
Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board of Directors has not established a fixed policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. Instead, the Board of Directors believes this determination is part of the succession planning process and should be considered upon the appointment or re-appointment of a chief executive officer.

At this time, our Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair be separated in order for the individuals elected to each position to focus on their primary role. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Serrano is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, while Mr. Mumma, as Chairman of our Board of Directors, provides guidance to our Chief Executive Officer, including with respect to our ongoing investment decisions, risk management activities, and capital management strategies, presides over meetings of our full Board of Directors and helps determine the agenda for meetings of our Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors adopted a policy that provides that in the event the Chair of our Board of Directors does not qualify as an independent director, our independent directors will select a Lead Director from among themselves. Mr. Steven G. Norcutt, an independent director of the Company since 2004, currently serves as