Document:

Exhibit 10.20

                               SUMMUS, INC. (USA)

                             AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

                                    ********
                     As adopted Effective February 17, 2003

                                    ********

I.       PURPOSE

         The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of
     Directors of Summus, Inc. (USA) (the "Company") in fulfilling its oversight
     responsibilities with respect to: (i) the Company's systems of internal
     controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethical
     behavior; (ii) the Company's auditing, accounting and financial reporting
     processes generally; (iii) the Company's financial statements and other
     financial information provided by the Company to its shareholders, the
     public and others, (iv) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory
     requirements, and (v) the performance of the Company's independent
     auditors'. Consistent with these functions, the Audit Committee will
     encourage continuous improvement of, and foster adherence to, the Company's
     policies, procedures and practices at all levels.

         Although the Audit Committee has the powers and responsibilities set
     forth in this Charter, the role of the Audit Committee is oversight. The
     members of the Audit Committee are not full-time employees of the Company
     and may or may not be accountants or auditors by profession or experts in
     the fields of accounting or auditing and, in any event, do not serve in
     such capacity. Consequently, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to
     conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements and
     disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These
     are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditors.

II.      ORGANIZATION

         Prior to the listing of the Company's common stock on a national
     exchange, the Audit Committee shall be formed and maintained in accordance
     with the Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act and all other related
     rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Upon the
     listing of the Company's common stock on a national exchange, the Audit
     Committee shall consist of three or more directors, each of whom shall
     satisfy the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements of
     Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act, the rules of the particular
     national exchange that the Company is listed on and any other regulatory
     requirements.
<PAGE>

          The members of the Audit Committee shall be elected by the Board at
     the annual organizational meeting of the Board; members shall serve until
     their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. The Committee's
     chairperson shall be designated by the full Board or, if it does not do so,
     the Committee members shall elect a chairperson by a vote of a majority of
     the full Committee.

            The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees
when appropriate.

III.     MEETINGS

         The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times per year on a
     quarterly basis, or more frequently as circumstances require. As part of
     its job to foster open communication, the Audit Committee shall meet at
     least quarterly with management and the independent auditors in separate
     executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or each
     of these groups believe should be discussed privately.

         The Audit Committee shall set the frequency and length of each meeting
     and the agenda of items to be addressed at each upcoming meeting. In
     addition, at the first meeting of the Audit Committee to be held upon its
     formation and at each first meeting held following the annual meeting of
     shareholders (the "First Meeting"), the chairperson, in consultation with
     the other members of the Audit Committee, shall determine the list of items
     to be addressed by the Audit Committee during the coming year (the "Annual
     Agenda").

         The chairperson shall ensure that the agenda for each upcoming meeting
     of the Audit Committee is circulated to each member of the Audit Committee
     as well as each other director in advance of the meeting, and that the
     Annual Agenda is circulated to each member of the Audit Committee as well
     as each other director not later than five business days after it is
     finalized (which shall be not later than five business days after the First
     Meeting).

IV.      AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

         In recognition of the fact that the independent auditors are ultimately
     accountable to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall have the sole
     authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate,
     replace the independent auditors (or to nominate the independent auditors
     for shareholder approval), and shall approve all audit engagement fees and
     terms and all non-audit engagements with the independent auditors. The
     Audit Committee shall consult with management but shall not delegate these
     responsibilities.
<PAGE>

     To fulfill its responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall:

                  With respect to the independent auditors:
                  -----------------------------------------

         1.       Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and
                  oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including
                  resolution of disagreements between management and the
                  independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the
                  purpose of preparing its audit report or related work.

         2.       Have the sole authority to review in advance, and grant any
                  appropriate pre-approvals of (i) all auditing services to be
                  provided by the independent auditors and (ii) all non-audit
                  services to be provided by the independent auditors as
                  permitted by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act, and
                  in connection therewith to approve all fees and other terms of
                  engagement. The Audit Committee shall also review and approve
                  disclosures required to be included in Securities and Exchange
                  Commission periodic reports filed under Section 13(a) of the
                  Securities Exchange Commission of the Securities Exchange Act
                  with respect to non-audit Services.

         3.       Review on an annual basis the performance of the independent
                  auditors.

         4.       Ensure that the independent auditors submit to the Audit
                  Committee on an annual basis a written statement consistent
                  with Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1, discuss with
                  the independent auditors any disclosed relationships or
                  services that may impact the objectivity and independence of
                  the independent auditors, and satisfy itself as to the
                  independent auditors' independence.

         5.       At least annually, obtain and review an annual report from the
                  independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditors'
                  internal quality control procedures and (ii) any material
                  issues raised by the most recent internal quality control
                  review or peer review, of the independent auditors, or by any
                  inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional
                  authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one
                  or more independent audits carried out by the independent
                  auditors, any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

         6.       Confirm that the lead audit partner and the audit partner
                  responsible for reviewing the audit, has not performed audit
                  services for the Company for each of the five previous fiscal
                  years.

         7.       Review all reports required to be submitted by the independent
                  auditors to the Audit Committee under Section 10A of the
                  Securities Exchange Act.

         8.       Review, based upon the recommendation of the independent
                  auditors, the scope and plan of the work to be done by the
                  independent auditors.
<PAGE>

                  With respect to the financial statements:
                  -----------------------------------------

         9.       Review and discuss with management and the independent
                  auditors the Company's quarterly financial statements
                  (including disclosures made in "Management's Discussion and
                  Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
                  the independent auditors' review of the quarterly financial
                  statements) prior to submission to shareholders, any
                  governmental body, any stock exchange, or the public.

         10.      Review and discuss with management and the independent
                  auditors the Company's annual audited financial statements
                  (including disclosures made in "Management's Discussion and
                  Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations").

         11.      Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to
                  be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as
                  amended, relating to the conduct of the audit.

         12.      Recommend to the Board, if appropriate, that the Company's
                  annual audited financial statements be included in the
                  Company's annual report on Form 10-K for filing with the
                  Securities and Exchange Commission.

         13.      Prepare the report required by the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission to be included in the Company's annual proxy
                  statement and any other reports of the Audit Committee
                  required by applicable securities laws or stock exchange
                  listing requirements or rules.

                  Periodic and Annual Reviews:
                  ----------------------------

         14.      Periodically review separately with each of management and the
                  independent auditors (i) any significant disagreement between
                  management and the independent auditors in connection with the
                  preparation of the financial statements, (ii) any difficulties
                  encountered during the course of the audit, including any
                  restrictions on the scope of work or access to required
                  information, and (iii) managements response to each.

         15.      Periodically discuss with the independent auditors, without
                  management being present, (i) their judgments about the
                  quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting
                  principles and financial disclosure practices as applied in
                  its financial reporting and (ii) the completeness and accuracy
                  of the Company's financial statements.

         16.      Consider and approve, if appropriate, significant changes to
                  the Company's accounting principles and financial disclosure
                  practices and suggested by the independent auditors and
                  management. Review with the independent auditors and
                  management at appropriate intervals, the extent to which any
                  changes or improvements in accounting or financial practices,
                  as approved by the Audit Committee, have been implemented.
<PAGE>

         17.      Review and discuss with management, the independent auditors
                  and the Company's in-house and independent counsel, as
                  appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters that
                  could have a significant impact on the Company's financial
                  statements, including applicable changes in accounting
                  standards or rules.

         18.      Review and discuss with management, the independent auditors
                  and the Company's in-house and independent counsel on any
                  issues that management and the independent auditors propose to
                  address through the SEC's pre-clearance process.

         19.      Review and discuss with management and the independent
                  auditors, the Company's critical accounting policies that have
                  the greatest effects on the Company's financial statements and
                  all alternative accounting treatments.

         20.      Review, discuss and challenge management and the independent
                  auditors in identifying the difficult areas (e.g. significant
                  estimates and judgments) and to explain fully how they each
                  made their judgments in those areas.

         21.      Review and discuss with management and the independent
                  auditors proposed significant, complex and/or unusual
                  transactions and their financial statement effects.

         22.      If applicable, understand why management did not correct audit
                  differences that were identified and what the effects would be
                  on the financial statements if those differences were
                  corrected in the current period.

         23.      Review and understand significant balance sheet changes in
                  trends or important financial relationships.

         24.      Review and understand the business need for significant
                  related party transactions and whether they have been properly
                  disclosed.

         25.      Review and understand any new or proposed accounting and
                  auditing topics affecting the Company.

                  Discussions with management:
                  ----------------------------

         26.      Review and discuss with management the Company's earnings
                  press releases, including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted"
                  non-GAAP information. Also consider using Financial Executives
                  International/National Investor Relations Institute guidelines
                  (available at WWW.FEI.ORG or WWW.NIRI.ORG) as well as
                  financial information and earnings guidance provided to
                  analysts and rating agencies.
<PAGE>

         27.      Review and discuss with management all material off-balance
                  sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including
                  contingent obligations) and other relationships of the Company
                  with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that may have a
                  material current or future effect on financial condition,
                  changes in financial condition, results of operations,
                  liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves or significant
                  components of revenues or expenses.

         28.      Review and discuss with management the Company's major risk
                  exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor,
                  control and manage such exposures, including the Company's
                  risk assessment and risk management guidelines and policies.

                  With respect to the internal controls:
                  --------------------------------------

         29.      In consultation with the independent auditors, review the
                  adequacy of the Company's internal control structure and
                  procedures designed to insure compliance with laws and
                  regulations.

         30.      Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and
                  treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding
                  accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters
                  and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees
                  of the Company of concerns regarding the questionable
                  accounting or auditing matters.

         31.      Review (i) the internal control report prepared by management,
                  including management's assessment of the effectiveness of the
                  Company's internal control structure and procedures for
                  financial reporting and (ii) the independent auditors'
                  attestation, and report, on the assessment made by management.

                  Other:
                  ------

         32.      Review and approval all related-party transactions.

         33.      Review and approve (i) any change or waiver in the Company's
                  code of ethics for senior financial officers and (ii) any
                  disclosure made on Form 8-K regarding such change or waiver.

         34.      Establish a policy addressing the Company's hiring of
                  employees or former employees of independent auditors who were
                  engaged on the Company's account.
<PAGE>

         35.      Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and
                  recommend to the Board any changes deemed appropriate by the
                  Audit Committee.

         36.      Review its own performance annually.

         37.      Report regularly to the Board.

         38.      Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
                  Company's by-laws and governing law, as the Audit Committee or
                  the Board of Directors deems necessary or appropriate.

         39.      This Charter shall be made available on the Company's website
                  at "www.summus.com."

     V.       Resources

                  The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain
         independent legal, accounting and other consultants to advise the Audit
         Committee. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of
         the Company or the Company's outside counsel or independent auditors to
         attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of,
         or consultants to, the Audit Committee.

                  The Audit Committee shall determine the extend of funding
         necessary for payment of compensation to the independent auditors for
         the purpose of rendering or issuing the annual audit report and to any
         independent legal, accounting and other consultants retained to advise
         the Audit Committee.STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF BULLOCH

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made this 19TH day of MARCH, 2003, between FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK
(hereinafter referred to as the "Bank"); and CHARLES R. NESSMITH, of the State
of Georgia, (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the BANK is a banking corporation with its principal office located in
Bulloch County, Georgia; and

WHEREAS the BANK desires to hire and employ EXECUTIVE as President and Chief
Executive Officer and EXECUTIVE desires to be employed by the BANK as its
President and Chief Executive Officer, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions as hereinafter set forth.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained, the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the
BANK and EXECUTIVE agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT:

The BANK hereby agrees to employ the EXECUTIVE, and the EXECUTIVE agrees to
accept such employment as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the BANK
in accordance with the terms, duties and obligations hereinafter set forth.

2. TERM:

The initial term of this agreement shall be for three (3) years beginning
January 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2005, and the agreement shall continue
from year to year thereafter unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided.

3. COMPENSATION:

The BANK shall pay the Executive for all services rendered under this agreement
a salary of $130,000.00 per year. The Executive shall be paid with the same
frequency as are other executives of the BANK. Salary payments shall be subject
to withholding and other applicable taxes. The Executive's salary and bonus will
be reviewed and may be changed on a year to year basis with the first review to
be no earlier than March 1, 2004.

4. BONUSES:

The Executive shall be entitled to an annual bonus based upon the BANK'S
performance as shown on the Accountant's fiscal year-end audit. The bonus shall
be paid within 30 days of the Board of Directors being furnished the final
year-end audit. The Executive shall receive annual bonuses based upon the
present system of bonus determination adopted by the BANK for all employees.

<PAGE>
5. AUTOMOBILE:

The BANK recognizes the Executive's need for an automobile for business
purposes. Therefore, the BANK shall provide the Executive with an automobile,
including all related maintenance, repairs, insurance and other costs. The
automobile and related costs shall be comparable to those which the BANK
presently provides other executives of the BANK and as may be mutually agreed
upon by Executive and the BANK. At the Executive's option, in lieu of being
provided an automobile as set forth herein, the BANK shall reimburse the
Executive for business use of the Executive's personal automobile at a rate
equal to the per mile rate of reimbursement of federal employees and published
from time to time by the Internal Revenue Service.

6. DUTIES:

The Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
BANK and shall at all times discharge his duties in consultation with and under
the supervision of the BANK'S Board of Directors, to whom he shall report. He
will be in charge of all day to day operations and management of the BANK,
including, but not limited to, all personnel decisions and other functions to
make the BANK successful. The BANK may, from time to time, extend or curtail the
Executive's precise services.

7. EXTENT OF SERVICES:

The Executive shall exert his best efforts and devote his entire time and
attention to the BANK'S business. During the term of this agreement, the
Executive shall not engage in any other business activity regardless of whether
it is pursued for gain or profit, if it detracts from his duties with the BANK.
It is understood that the Executive will not engage in any business that
conflicts with his duties as Chief Executive Officer of the BANK or that may be
deemed a conflict of interest.

Should the Executive desire to become engaged in a business activity that does
not conflict or detract from his duties as Chief Executive Officer of the BANK,
then he will advise the Board of Directors of the BANK of his business
activities prior to engaging in same and shall obtain approval by the Board of
Directors.

8. PRESIDENT REPORTING:

The Executive shall work with the Board of Directors and shall report to the
Board and keep them informed as to all matters that pertain to or affect the
Board or the BANK or stockholders.

9. WORKING FACILITIES:

The Executive shall have a private office, secretarial help and other facilities
and services that are suitable to his position and appropriate for the
performance of his duties.

10. EXPENSES:

The Executive may incur reasonable expenses for promoting the BANK'S business,
including expenses for entertainment, travel, and similar items. The BANK will
reimburse the Executive for all such expenses upon the Executive's periodic
presentation of an itemized account of such expenditures, which shall be
examined on a monthly basis by at least two outside directors. One of the
directors must be the Chairman of the Board.
<PAGE>

11. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:

The Executive shall obtain prior approval of the Board of Directors for any
capital expenditure over $1,000.00.

12. DISABILITY:

If the Executive becomes disabled during the period of this agreement, his
salary shall continue at the same rate that it was on the date of such
disability. If such disability continues for a continuous period of three (3)
consecutive months, the BANK, at its option, may thereafter, upon written notice
to the Executive or his personal representative, terminate this agreement. If
the Executive receives disability payments from insurance policies paid for by
the BANK, the salary paid to the Executive during any period of disability shall
be reduced by the amount of disability payment received by the Executive under
any such insurance policy or policies. For the purpose of the agreement,
disability shall mean mental or physical illness or a condition rendering the
Executive incapable of performing his normal duties with the BANK.

13. DEATH DURING EMPLOYMENT:

If the Executive dies during the term of employment, the BANK shall pay to the
Executive's estate the compensation that would otherwise be payable to the
Executive up to the end of the month in which his death occurs.

14. EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:

This agreement shall not be in lieu of any rights, benefits and privileges to
which the Executive may be entitled as an employee of the BANK under any
retirement, pension, profit sharing, insurance, hospital or other plans which
may now be in effect or which may hereafter be adopted. The Executive shall have
the same rights and privileges to participate in such plans and benefits as any
other employee during his period of employment. The Executive shall be entitled
to health, life and disability benefits available to all employees of the BANK
in accordance with his income level. The BANK agrees to reimburse him for his
Country Club and Civic Club dues.

15. VACATIONS:

The Executive shall be entitled to annual vacations in a manner commensurate
with his status as a principal executive, which shall not be less than two (2)
weeks per year.

16. TERMINATION:

The BANK reserves the right to terminate the Executive upon ten (10) days
written notice for cause, including but not limited to:

a) failure to carry out the directives of the Board of Directors;

b) failure to act ethically with the BANK'S regulators, customers and/or
directors;
<PAGE>

c) participating or being involved in such activities as are detrimental to the
best interests of the BANK and its shareholders;

d) any other provision of this agreement; or

e) any other reason that the Board of Directors deems good and sufficient cause.
In the event of termination for cause, the BANK shall pay the Executive his
compensation up to the date of termination, whereupon all obligations hereunder
shall cease. This agreement may also be terminated by either party at any time,
without cause, upon ninety (90) days written notice to the other party.

In the event of the sale or merger of the BANK to or with another bank or bank
holding company (hereafter the ACQUIRING BANK), and in the further event that
the ACQUIRING BANK elects to terminate EXECUTIVE, with or without cause, on the
date of acquisition or merger, the BANK shall pay as a severance pay to
EXECUTIVE his base salary for the balance of the contract term. The severance
pay shall be paid in equal monthly installments over the remainder of the
contract period and shall be subject to state and federal withholding taxes. The
severance pay shall not include any bonuses or other employee benefits. For the
purposes of this paragraph and the paragraph below, the term "termination" shall
be deemed to include a decision by the ACQUIRING BANK that EXECUTIVE must either
relocate from the Statesboro, Georgia community to maintain his employment or
that he be expected to serve in any capacity other than President of the BANK in
Statesboro, Georgia.

Provided further, that in the event the sale or merger occurs during the final
year of this contract, and in the further event that the ACQUIRING BANK elects
to terminate EXECUTIVE or elects not to renew this contract for an additional
one-year term, then the severance pay of EMPLOYEE shall be extended for an
additional one-year period beyond the normal expiration date of this agreement.

17. ASSIGNMENT:

This Agreement is intended to secure the personal services of the Executive and
cannot be assigned or transferred in any manner by the Executive.

18. NOTICES:

All notices required or permitted to be given under this agreement shall be
given by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parties at the
following addresses or to such other addresses as either may designate in
writing to the other party.

                  To the BANK:

                                    Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                    Farmers & Merchants Bank
                                    P. O. Box 2789
                                    Statesboro, Georgia 30459

                  To the Executive:

                                    Charles R. Nessmith
                                    750 Isaac Akins Road
                                    Statesboro, Georgia 30461
<PAGE>
19. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:

This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the BANK, its
successors and assigns, including, without limitation, any corporation which may
acquire all or substantially all of the BANK'S assets and business or into which
the BANK may be consolidated or merged, and the Executive, his heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives.

20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes
all prior understandings and agreements between the parties. It may not be
changed, waived or modified orally, but only by an agreement in writing, signed
by the party against whom enforcement to any waiver, change, modification or
discharge is sought.

21. CONSTRUCTION:

The provisions of this agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Georgia.

22. HEADINGS:

Headings in this agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to
interpret or construe its provisions.

23. NON-WAIVER:

No delay or failure of either party is exercising any right under this
agreement, and no partial or single exercise of that right, shall constitute a
waiver of that or any other right.

24. COUNTERPARTS:

This agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument.

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

                                       FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK

                                       BY:  /s/ Frank C. Rozier
                                          ---------------------------------
                                             CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                       ATTEST:  /s/ Dwayne E. Rocker
                                              -----------------------------
                                                  SECRETARY

Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of:

/s/ Gerald M. Edenfield
-----------------------
Witness

/s/ Patricia E. Tootle
----------------------
Notary Public (SEAL)
<PAGE>

                                       EXECUTIVE

                                       /s/ Charles R. Nessmith
                                        ----------------------
                                       CHARLES R. NESSMITH

Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of:

/s/ Gerald M. Edenfield
------------------------
Witness

/s/  Patricia E. Tootle
 ----------------------
Notary Public (SEAL)

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