<PAGE>   1
                                                                        Page 25













                                  Exhibit 10.15


<PAGE>   2
                                                                        Page 26




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Agreement made as of the 29th day of May, 2001, by and between
EVANS NATIONAL BANK, a national banking corporation with offices at 14-16 North
Main Street, Angola, New York, hereinafter referred to as the "Bank" or
"Employer", and, MARK DeBACKER, hereinafter referred to as the "Employee," for
the employment of Employee by the Employer.

         1.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: Unless terminated pursuant to the terms of
                  this Agreement, the Employer and Employee agree that the term
                  of employment shall be for a period commencing on the date of
                  this Agreement and terminating December 31, 2006 and
                  continuing year to year thereafter. Such term of employment
                  shall be extended for one additional year on or before
                  December 31, 2001 and annually thereafter, so that the term of
                  the agreement shall be for five years, unless shortened by
                  mutual agreement.

         2.       COMPENSATION: Employee shall receive, in exchanges for his
                  services, hereunder, compensation of $95,000.00 annualized,
                  subject to such increases as may be approved from time to time
                  by the Board of Directors of Employer, with the consent of the
                  Board of Directors of the Bank;

         3.       DUTIES:

                  (A) Duties of Employee shall be those duties as shown per
                  attached Schedule "A", which duties may be modified increased
                  or reduced at the sole option of the Employer.

                  (B) Employee shall devote his full time energies and
                  attention, during normal business hours (excluding vacation)
                  to the business and affairs of the Employer.

                  (C) The Employee agrees that during the term of this
                  Agreement, he will comply with all regulations and guidelines
                  of the Employer, and will comply with all rules and
                  regulations of the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of Currency
                  and the statutes of the State of New York or any other state
                  which regulates the business of the Employer.

                  (D) Employee shall, except as otherwise provided herein, be
                  subject to the Bank's rules, practices and policies applicable
                  to the Bank's Executive Employees.

                  (E) Employee shall report directly to and be responsible to
                  the President of the Bank.

         4.       BENEFITS:

                  (A) Employee shall participate in all life, disability and
                  medical insurance plans, pensions and other similar plans
                  which the Employer may have or may establish from time to
                  time, in which Employee is eligible to participate pursuant to
                  the terms thereof. The foregoing, however, shall not be
                  construed to require the Employer to establish any such plans
                  or to prevent the Employer from modifying or terminating such
                  plans and no such action or failure thereof shall effect this
                  Agreement.

                  (B) Employee shall be entitled to vacation as determined by
                  the Board of Directors for all Bank Officers, but in no event
                  shall it be less than the scheduled vacations and personal
                  days as set forth in the Employee Handbook.

                  (C) Employee shall attend such continuing education seminars
                  and obtain membership in such organizations as may be
                  reasonably required by the Board; provided however, that the
                  Employer shall bear the expenses of such activities.

                  (D) In addition to all of the above, Employee shall
                  specifically be entitled to the following benefits:

                      1. Group term life insurance: Provided by the Employer at
                      no cost to employee - valued at two times annual salary.
                      This plan carries a cap of $350,000.00.





<PAGE>   3
                                                                        Page 27


                      2. Basic Dental Coverage: A self funded dental
                      reimbursement plan is provided for eligible employees. The
                      employee contribution is $5.00 per month for single
                      participation and $10.00 per month for family. The maximum
                      annual reimbursement is $200.00 for single and $400.00 for
                      family.

                      3. Health Insurance: As available to employees of the
                      Bank.

                      4. Employee Retirement Savings Plan (401K): Participation
                      in accordance with the provisions of such plan.

                      5. Defined Benefit Pension Plan: In accordance with the
                      provisions of the plan.

         5.       EXPENSES: The Employer will reimburse Employee for reasonable
                  expenses, including travelling expenses, incurred by him in
                  connection with his employment in the business of the Bank
                  upon the presentation by Employee of appropriate
                  substantiation for such expenses, and approval by the
                  President of Employer.

         6.       CONFIDENTIALITY: In the course of his employment by the
                  Employer, Employee shall have and has had access to
                  confidential or proprietary data or information of the
                  Employer. Employee shall not at any time, divulge or
                  communicate to any person, nor shall he direct any employee to
                  divulge or communicate to any person (other than to a person
                  bound by confidentiality obligation similar to those contained
                  herein, and other than is necessary in performing his duties
                  hereunder) or used to the detriment of the Employer or for the
                  benefit of any other person, any of such data or information.
                  The provision of this section shall survive Employee's
                  employment hereunder, whether by the normal expiration thereof
                  or otherwise. The term "confidential" or "proprietary data or
                  information" as used in this Agreement, shall mean information
                  not generally available to the public including, without
                  limitation, personnel information, financial information,
                  customer lists, computer programs, marketing and advertising
                  data. Employee acknowledges and agrees that any confidential
                  or proprietary data or information heretofore acquired was
                  received in confidence.

         7.       EARLY TERMINATION: Employee's employment hereunder shall
                  terminate prior to the expiration of this Agreement or any
                  extensions thereof, on the following terms and conditions:

                  (A) Probation Period: Employer may terminate this agreement
                  WITHOUT CAUSE at any time during the first 180 days of this
                  agreement. Under such circumstances, Employer shall have no
                  liability to Employee other than accrued wages or other
                  accrued benefits.

                  (B) This Agreement shall terminate automatically on the death
                  of Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank shall pay
                  to Employee's estate any compensation and reimbursable
                  expenses accrued to the date of his death which otherwise
                  would have been paid to the Employee.

                  (C) This Agreement shall be terminated, at the Employer's
                  election, if Employee is unable to perform his duties
                  hereunder, for a period of six months (180) days in any 365
                  day period (or at such earlier time as the Bank's "salary
                  continuation" insurance becomes effective) by reason of
                  physical or mental disability. For purposes of this Agreement,
                  "physical or mental disability" shall mean Employee's
                  inability, due to health reasons, to discharge properly his
                  duties of employment supported by the opinion of a physician
                  selected by the employer. If the Employee is subsequently able
                  to return to work after termination as provided herein,
                  Employer may in its discretion, employ Employee in the same
                  capacity or in such other capacity as may be mutually
                  agreeable under such terms and conditions as the parties may
                  so agree. Prior to such return however, Employee shall provide
                  a physician's opinion certifying his ability to return to
                  work.

                  (D) In the event of personal dishonesty, willful misconduct,
                  gross negligence, insubordination, or in the event of his
                  deliberate failure to fulfill his obligations under this
                  Agreement, the Board of Directors may terminate this Agreement
                  by giving the Employee two (2) weeks written notice thereof.
                  Such termination shall be effective at the expiration of such
                  two (2) week notice. Thereafter the Employer shall not be
                  obligated under any of the provisions herein, except as
                  required by any statute in effect at that time.



<PAGE>   4
                                                                        Page 28


                  (E) Employee may voluntarily terminate his employment upon
                  giving the Employer four (4) weeks written notice of his
                  decision to terminate. Such a termination shall not constitute
                  a breach of this Agreement; provided, however, that Employee
                  shall be obligated after the date of such termination to
                  continue to be bound by the conditions outlined in Section 7
                  hereof. Employer may terminate Employee's employment after
                  receipt of said notice, prior to the completion of the four
                  (4) week notice period but must pay Employee for said four (4)
                  weeks.

                  (F) The parties may mutually agree to terminate this Agreement
                  in writing on such terms as they may determine.

                  (G) The Employer may terminate Employee's employment without
                  cause and without notice; provided, however, that the Employer
                  shall be obligated to continue to pay Employee's base salary
                  plus benefits for the longer of three (3) months after the
                  date of such termination or the remainder of the term of the
                  Agreement and provided further that Employee shall be relieved
                  of all further obligations under this Agreement except for
                  provisions pursuant to Paragraph 7.

                           In the event Employee secures other employment after
                  termination, Employer shall be entitled to a credit against
                  salary and benefits owed Employee equal to Employee's salary
                  and benefits paid him from his new Employment.

         8.       MODIFICATION: This Agreement constitutes the full and complete
                  understanding of the parties and supersedes all prior
                  agreements and understandings oral or written, between the
                  parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
                  Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an
                  instrument in writing, signed by the party against which
                  enforcement thereof may be sought.

         9.       SEVERABILITY: Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
                  invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
                  jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
                  or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
                  the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or
                  effecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms
                  or provisions of this Agreement or in other jurisdiction.

         10.      WAIVER OF BREACH: The waiver by either party of a breach of
                  any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as, or be
                  construed as, a waiver of any subsequent breach.

         11.      NOTICE: All notice hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
                  sent by express mail or by certified or registered mail,
                  postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to Employee at his
                  residence as listed in the Employer's records, and to the
                  Bank, c/o Evans National Bank, 14 - 16 North Main Street,
                  Angola, New York 14006, Attention: Mr. James Tilley,
                  President.

         12.      ASSIGNABILITY / BINDING EFFECT: This Agreement shall not be
                  assignable by Employee without the written consent of the
                  Board of Directors of the Employer. The Employer may assign
                  its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be
                  binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee, his legal
                  representatives, heirs and distributees and shall be binding
                  upon and inure to the benefit of the Employer, the Bank, its
                  successors and assigns.

         13.      GOVERNING LAW: All questions pertaining to the validity,
                  construction, execution and performance of this Agreement
                  shall be construed and governed in accordance with the law of
                  the State of New York.

         14.      HEADINGS: The headings in this Agreement are intended solely
                  for convenience of reference and shall be given no effect in
                  the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.



<PAGE>   5
                                                                        Page 29




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals
the day and year above written.



                                                         EVANS NATIONAL BANK


       By:  /s/Mark DeBacker                        By:  /s/James Tilley
           --------------------------                    ----------------------
            MARK DeBACKER                                JAMES TILLEY, PRESIDENT