Document:

sona_Ex10_2

		
			                                                              Exhibit 10.2
		

		
			 THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered as of the 19th day of February, 2020, by and among SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC., a Virginia corporation (the “Bancorp”), SONABANK, a Virginia state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp (the “Bank”; the Bancorp and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as the “Employer”), and DENNIS J. ZEMBER, JR. (“Executive”).
		

		
			 
		

		
			BACKGROUND
		

		
			 
		

		
			WHEREAS, the expertise and experience of Executive in the financial institutions industry are valuable to the Employer;
		

		
			 
		

		
			WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Employer to maintain an experienced and sound executive management team to manage the Employer, further the Employer’s overall strategies and protect and enhance shareholder value; and
		

		
			 
		

		
			WHEREAS, the Employer and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to establish the scope, terms and conditions of Executive’s continued employment by the Employer;
		

		
			 
		

		
			NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
		

		
			 
		

		
			1.          Effective Date. The effective time and date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be 5:00 p.m. on the date of its making first set forth above (the “Effective Date”).
		

		
			 
		

		
			2.          Employment. Executive is employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors of the Bancorp and the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. Executive’s responsibilities, duties, prerogatives and authority in such offices shall be those customary for persons holding such offices of institutions in the financial institutions industry, as well as such other duties of an executive, managerial or administrative nature, which are consistent with such offices, as shall be specified and designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Bancorp (the “Bancorp Board”). Executive will report directly to Bancorp Board and the Board of the Directors of the Bank.
		

		
			 
		

		
			3.          Employment Period. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 6 hereof, Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue thereafter for a term of three years (the “Employment Period”). Commencing on the third anniversary of the Effective Date, this Agreement and the Employment Period shall automatically renew for successive three (3) year periods unless the Employer or the Executive delivers written notice of non-renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then current Employment Period.  A non-renewal of the Employment Period by the Employer shall not constitute a termination of the Executive’s employment without Cause.
		

		
			  
		

		
			4.          Extent of Service. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation, sick or other leave to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement, Executive agrees to devote all of Executive’s business time and efforts to serving the business and affairs of the Employer commensurate with Executive’s offices. During the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive, subject to the requirements of Section 11, to (i) serve on civic or charitable boards or committees or (ii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities to the Employer or violate the Employer’s conflicts of interest or other applicable policies. 
		

		
			 
		

		
			5.          Compensation and Benefits.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Employer will pay to Executive a base salary at the rate of $600,000 per year (“Base Salary”), less normal withholdings, payable in equal monthly or more frequent installments as are customary under the Employer’s payroll procedures from time to time. In accordance with 

		 

the policies and procedures of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Bancorp Board, the Employer shall review Executive’s total compensation at least annually and in its sole discretion may adjust Executive’s total compensation from year to year, but during the Employment Period the Employer may not decrease Executive’s Base Salary below $600,000; provided, however, that periodic increases in Base Salary, once granted, shall not be subject to revocation. The annual review of Executive’s total compensation will consider, among other things, changes in the cost of living, Executive’s own performance and the Bancorp’s consolidated performance.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          Incentive Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate, as determined by the Committee, in all incentive plans of the Employer applicable to senior executives of the Employer generally, including, without limitation, short-term and long-term incentive plans and equity compensation plans that shall be competitive with industry norms taking into consideration the complexity of the Company’s strategies, operating performance, geography and other elements deemed appropriate,  subject to eligibility requirements and terms and conditions of each such plan; provided,  however, that nothing herein shall limit the ability of Employer to amend, modify or terminate any such plans, policies or programs at any time and from time to time.  Without limiting the foregoing, 
		

		
			(i)Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) payable in cash, pursuant to the performance criteria and targets established and administered by the Bancorp Board (or the Compensation Committee of the Bancorp Board, to which such responsibility may be delegated by the Bancorp Board).  Executive’s Annual Bonus for calendar year 2020 shall be not less than fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s Base Salary subject only to the Executive’s performance relative to certain agreed upon criteria . The Annual Bonus payable to Executive each year shall be determined and payable as soon as practicable after year-end for such year (but no later than March 15th of the year following the year to which the Annual Bonus relates). Except as provided in Section 7, to be entitled to receive any Annual Bonus, Executive must remain employed through the last day of the calendar year to which the Annual Bonus relates.  
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)the Bancorp shall grant to Executive 20,000 restricted shares of its common stock (the “Initial Restricted Stock Award”), pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. 2017 Equity Compensation Plan.  The Initial Restricted Stock Award will vest in approximately equal annual installments on each of first five (5) anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each vesting date.  The Initial Restricted Stock Award will be granted within three (3) business days following the date Executive commences employment with the Company, and shall be subject to subject to other terms and conditions set forth in the award certificate memorializing the Initial Restricted Stock Award, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto. 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c)          Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive or Executive’s dependents, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in all employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Employer applicable to senior executives of the Employer generally (the “Benefit Plans”),  subject to eligibility requirements and terms and conditions of each such plan; provided,  however, that nothing herein shall limit the ability of Employer to amend, modify or terminate any such benefit plans, policies or programs at any time and from time to time.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(d)          Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Employer applicable to senior executives of the Employer generally, for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, including dues for country club memberships and civic organizations in which Executive is or shall become a member, not to exceed $20,000 in the aggregate per calendar year.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(e)          Vacation, Sick and Other Leave. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled annually to a minimum of thirty (30) business days of paid vacation and shall be entitled to those number of business days of paid disability, sick and other leave specified in the employment policies of the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(f) Automobile. During the Employment Period, Employer shall provide Executive with an appropriate automobile for Executive’s use and will maintain and insure it at Employer’s expense. At least annually, Executive, in accordance with the Bank's procedure, shall report business and personal usage of the automobile.
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			 
		

		
			(g)    Relocation Expenses.  During calendar year 2020 of the Employment Period, Employer shall reimburse Executive for expenses associated with relocating from Executive’s current residence promptly following Executive’s submission of receipts with respect thereto, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Employer.  These expenses shall not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate and include temporary housing, real estate commissions and general moving expenses. If on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive voluntarily resigns from employment for any reason, or Employer terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, then Executive shall promptly repay Employer in full for the amount of such relocation expenses actually paid by Employer.
		

			
					
						 

				

		
			  6.          Termination of Employment.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Cause. The Employer may terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Cause by providing written Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean :
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          the material failure of Executive to perform Executive’s duties with the Employer, other than any such failure resulting from Disability (as defined below), or to follow the lawful directives of the Bancorp Board, which failure is not cured within ten (10) days following Executive’s receipt of written notice from the Bancorp Board specifying such failure;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         Executive’s engaging in any illegal conduct, gross misconduct, or gross negligence in connection with the Employer’s business or relating to Executive’s duties hereunder;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iii)        Executive’s illegal use of controlled substances;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iv)        Executive’s commission, charge with, indictment for, conviction of, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere or no contest with respect to: (A) any felony, or any misdemeanor involving fraud, dishonesty, moral turpitude, or a breach of trust (including pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or lesser charge which results from plea bargaining),  whether or not such felony, crime or lesser offense is connected with the business of the Employer, or (B) any crime connected with the business of the Employer;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(v)         Executive’s commission of or engagement in any act of fraud, misappropriation, theft, embezzlement or an act of comparable dishonesty, whether or not such act was committed in connection with the business of the Employer;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(vi)Executive’s breach of fiduciary duty or breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(vii)        Executive’s breach of any material term or provision of this Agreement other than the covenants set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, which breach (if curable) has not been cured within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice of such breach from the Bancorp Board;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(viii)Executive’s violation of the Employer’s policy against harassment, its equal employment opportunity policy, or the Employer’s code of business conduct, or a material violation of any other policy or procedure of the Employer; or
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ix)      conduct by Executive that results in the permanent removal of Executive from Executive’s position as an officer or employee of the Bancorp or the Bank pursuant to a written order by any banking regulatory agency with authority or jurisdiction over the Bancorp or the Bank, as the case may be.
		

		
			 
		

		
			 (b)          Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean: 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; 
		

		
			 
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			(ii) a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must regularly perform the services to be performed by Executive pursuant to this Agreement (other than a change in such geographic location to an office or other location closer to Executive’s home residence); and 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iii) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Employer of this Agreement; 
		

		
			 
		

		
			provided, however, that Executive must provide notice to the Employer of the condition Executive contends is Good Reason within 90 days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Employer must have a period of 30 days to remedy the condition. If the condition is not remedied within such 30-day period, then Executive must provide a Notice of Termination as set forth in Section 6(f) within 30 days after the end of the Employer’s remedy period.
		

		
			 
		

		
			 (c)          Without Cause. The Employer may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause (a “Termination Without Cause”).
		

		
			 
		

		
			(d)          Voluntary Termination. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason (a “Voluntary Termination”).
		

		
			 
		

		
			(e)          Death or Disability. Executive’s employment with the Employer shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If Executive is incapacitated by accident, sickness or otherwise so as to render Executive mentally or physically incapable of performing fully the services required of Executive under this Agreement (referred to herein as a “Disability”) for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or for an aggregate of one hundred twenty (120) business days during any twelve (12) month period, the Employer may terminate Executive’s employment and this Agreement effective immediately after the expiration of either of such periods, upon giving Executive Notice of Termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, if it is determined by the Employer that Executive has a “disability” as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive’s employment shall not be terminated on the basis of such disability unless it is first determined by the Employer after consultation with Executive that there is no reasonable accommodation which would permit Executive to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position without imposing an undue hardship on the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(f)          Notice of Termination. Any termination (other than for death) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section 14(i) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Termination Date (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Termination Date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice, except as otherwise provided in Section 6(e)). The failure to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Disability, Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of Executive or the Employer hereunder or preclude Executive or the Employer from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Employer’s rights hereunder.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(g)          Termination Date. “Termination Date” means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for Cause or without Cause, the date of Executive’s receipt of the Notice of Termination or a later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive for Good Reason, the date of the Employer’s receipt of the Notice of Termination, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive as a Voluntary Termination, the date of the Employer’s receipt of the Notice of Termination or a later date specified therein, as the case may be, and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Termination Date shall be the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
		

		
			 
		

		
			7.          Obligations of the Employer Upon Termination.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Cause; Voluntary Termination. If, during the Employment Period, the Employer shall terminate Executive’s employment for Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment by a Voluntary Termination, then Executive shall be entitled to receive the following (collectively, the “Accrued Amounts”):
		

		
			 
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			(i)          any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation, sick or other leave pay, which shall be paid on the pay date immediately following the Termination Date in accordance with the Employer’s customary payroll procedures;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         any earned but unpaid cash bonus with respect to any completed fiscal year immediately preceding the Termination Date, which shall be paid on the otherwise applicable payment date; provided, however, that if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for Cause, then any such accrued but unpaid cash bonus shall be forfeited;
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iii)        reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Employer’s expense reimbursement policies, practices and procedures; and
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iv)        such employee benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled under the Benefit Plans as of the Termination Date.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the Employer shall terminate Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, subject to Executive’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Employer, its subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective officers and directors substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Release”) and such Release becoming effective within 45 days following the Termination Date (such 45-day period, for purposes of this Section 7(b), the “Release Execution Period”), Executive shall also be entitled to receive the following: 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          a lump sum amount equal to three times the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary and (B) Executive’s highest cash bonus earned with respect to any fiscal year within the three most recently completed fiscal years immediately preceding the Termination Date (or if Termination occurs within the first year of the Employment Period, 50% of Base Salary), which amount shall be paid in cash on or before the 60th day after the Termination Date; provided, however, that if the Release Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, then payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year; 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         a lump sum amount equal to the product of (A) the cash bonus, if any, that Executive would have earned for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs based on the achievement of applicable performance goals for such year and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days Executive was employed by the Employer during the year of termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such year (the “Pro-Rata Bonus”), which amount shall be paid in cash on the date that annual bonuses are paid to senior executives of the Employer generally, but in no event later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs;  
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iii)        if Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), then the Employer shall reimburse Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by Executive for Executive and Executive’s dependents until the earliest of: (A) the 18-month anniversary of the Termination Date; (B) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (C) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receive substantially similar coverage from another employer. Such reimbursement shall be paid to Executive on the 15th day of the month immediately following the month in which Executive timely remits the premium payment; and 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iv) any issued but unvested restricted stock, stock options, phantom stock or other long-term incentive shall be deemed to be fully vested as of the date of termination.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c)          Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment is terminated during the Employment Period on account of Executive’s death or Disability, Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) the Accrued Amounts; and (ii) a lump sum amount equal to the Pro-Rata Bonus, if any, that Executive would have earned for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs 

		 

based on the achievement of applicable performance goals for such year, which amount shall be paid in cash on the date that annual bonuses are paid to senior executives of the Employer generally, but in no event later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all payments made in connection with Executive’s Disability shall be provided in a manner that is consistent with federal and state law.
		

		
			 
		

		
			8.          Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Employer and for which Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Employer, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement. Amounts which are vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Employer at or subsequent to the Termination Date shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or such contract or agreement, except as expressly modified by this Agreement.
		

		
			 
		

		
			9.          No Mitigation. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under Section 7 of this Agreement.
		

		
			 
		

		
			10.         Code Section 280G.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Certain Reductions in Agreement Payments. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event a nationally recognized independent accounting firm designated by the Employer and reasonably acceptable to Executive (the “Accounting Firm”) shall determine that receipt of all payments or distributions by the Employer and its affiliates in the nature of compensation to or for Executive’s benefit, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would subject Executive to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine as required below in this Section 10(a) whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement (the “Agreement Payments”) to the Reduced Amount (as defined below). The Agreement Payments shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount only if the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if Executive’s Agreement Payments were so reduced. If the Accounting Firm determines that Executive would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt of aggregate Payments if Executive’s Agreement Payments were so reduced, then Executive shall receive all Agreement Payments to which Executive is entitled.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          Accounting Firm Determinations. If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be reduced to the Reduced Amount, then the Employer shall promptly give Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 10 shall be binding upon the Employer and Executive and shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 20 days following the Termination Date. For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments to the Reduced Amount, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the payments and benefits under the following sections in the following order: first from Section 7(b)(iii), then from Section 7(b)(ii) and lastly from Section 7(b)(i). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c)          Overpayments; Underpayments. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed by the Employer to or for the benefit of Executive pursuant to this Agreement which should not have been so paid or distributed (an “Overpayment”) or that additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed by the Employer to or for the benefit of Executive pursuant to this Agreement which should have been so paid or distributed (an “Underpayment”), in each case consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount hereunder. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Employer or Executive which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, Executive shall pay any such Overpayment to the Employer together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no amount shall be payable by Executive to the Employer if and to the extent such payment would not either reduce the amount on which Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be paid promptly (and in no event later 

		 

than 60 days following the date on which the Underpayment is determined) by the Employer to or for the benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
		

		
			 
		

		
			 (d)          Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 10:
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          “Reduced Amount” shall mean the greatest amount of Agreement Payments that can be paid that would not result in the imposition of the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code if the Accounting Firm determines to reduce Agreement Payments pursuant to Section 10(a).
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to Executive’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Accounting Firm determined to be likely to apply to Executive in the relevant taxable year(s).
		

		
			 
		

		
			11.         Restrictive Covenants.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Executive Acknowledgements. Executive acknowledges that (i) Executive has received good and valuable consideration in exchange for Executive’s agreement to be bound by the restrictive covenants in this Section 11 and (ii) the Employer will provide certain benefits to Executive hereunder in reliance on such covenants in view of the unique and essential nature of the services Executive will perform on behalf of the Employer and the irreparable injury that would befall the Employer should Executive breach such covenants. Executive further acknowledges that Executive’s services are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that Executive’s position with the Employer will place Executive in a position of confidence and trust with customers and employees of the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates and with the Employer’s other constituencies and will allow Executive access to Trade Secrets and Confidential Information (each as defined below) concerning the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Executive further acknowledges that the types and periods of restrictions imposed by the covenants in this Section 11 are fair and reasonable, and that such restrictions will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          Covenants. Having acknowledged the foregoing, Executive covenants and agrees with the Employer as follows:
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          While Executive is employed by the Employer and continuing thereafter, Executive shall not disclose or use any Confidential Information for any purpose other than as may be necessary and appropriate in the ordinary course of performing Executive’s duties to the Employer during the Employment Period.  This obligation shall remain in effect for as long as the information or materials in question retain their status as Confidential Information.  Executive further agrees that Executive shall fully cooperate with the Employer in maintaining the secrecy of the Confidential Information, to the extent permitted by law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the Employer’s rights or Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from: (A) disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided,  however, that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Executive shall provide the Employer with prompt notice of such requirement so that the Employer may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Executive; or (B) reporting possible violations of federal, state, or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state, or local law or regulation, and Executive shall not need the prior authorization of the Employer to make any such reports or disclosures and shall not be required to notify the Employer that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.  In addition, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive is hereby given notice that Executive shall not be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for: (C) disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in confidence to a federal, state, or local 

		 

government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, in either event solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (C) disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         While Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of 18 months thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer), on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or attempt to solicit any customer of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, actively sought prospective customers, with whom Executive had Material Contact (as defined below) during Executive’s employment, for the purpose of engaging in, providing or selling Competitive Services (as defined below).
		

		
			 
		

		
			 (iii)        While Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of 18 months thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer),  either directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, carry on or engage in Competitive Services for a financial institution headquartered within the Restricted Territory.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iv)        While Executive is employed by the Employer and for a period of 18 months thereafter, Executive shall not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer), on Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit or attempt to solicit or recruit, directly or by assisting others, any employee of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether or not such employee is a full-time employee or a temporary employee of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether or not such employment is pursuant to a written agreement and whether or not such employment is for a determined period or is at will, to cease working for the Employer in order to go to work for a competitor of the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(v)         Executive agrees that Executive will not retain or destroy (except as set forth below), and will immediately return to the Employer on or prior to the date Executive’s employment with the Employer ends, or at any other time the Employer requests such return, any and all property of the Employer that is in Executive’s possession or subject to Executive’s control, including, but not limited to, donor or customer files and information, papers, drawings, notes, manuals, specifications, designs, devices, code, email, documents, diskettes, CDs, tapes, keys, access cards, credit cards, identification cards, equipment, computers, mobile devices, other electronic media, all other files and documents relating to the Employer and its business (regardless of form, but specifically including all electronic files and data of the Employer), together with all Confidential Information belonging to the Employer or that Executive received from or through Executive’s employment with the Employer.  Executive will not make, distribute, or retain copies of any such information or property.  To the extent that Executive has electronic files or information in Executive’s possession or control that belong to the Employer or contain Confidential Information (specifically including but not limited to electronic files or information stored on personal computers, mobile devices, electronic media, or in cloud storage), on or prior to the date Executive’s employment with the Employer ends, or at any other time the Employer requests, Executive shall (A) provide the Employer with an electronic copy of all of such files or information (in an electronic format that readily accessible by the Employer); (B) after doing so, delete all such files and information, including all copies and derivatives thereof, from all non-Employer-owned computers, mobile devices, electronic media, cloud storage, and other media, devices, and equipment, such that such files and information are permanently deleted and irretrievable; and (C) provide a written certification to the Employer that the required deletions have been completed and specifying the files and information deleted and the media source from which they were deleted.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c)          Definitions. For purposes of this Section 11, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          “Competitive Services” shall mean the business of providing deposits, money market accounts, certificates of deposit or other typical retail banking deposit-type services or loans on a retail level, to individuals, businesses or non-profit entities in any State in the United States in which Employer has a retail bank branch at the time Executive’s employment ceases.
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)         “Confidential Information” shall mean data and information: (A) relating to the business of the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates, regardless of whether the data or information constitutes a trade secret; (B) disclosed to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware as a consequence of Executive’s relationship with the Employer; (C) having value to the Employer; and (D) not generally known to competitors of the Employer. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, trade secrets (as defined by applicable law), methods of operation, names of customers, price lists, financial information and projections, personnel data and similar information; provided, however, that such term shall not mean data or information that (x) has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Employer, except where such public disclosure has been made by Executive without authorization from the Employer, (y) has been independently developed and disclosed by others or (z) has otherwise entered the public domain through lawful means.  In addition to data and information relating to the Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates, “Confidential Information” also includes any and all data and information relating to or concerning a third party that otherwise meets the definition set forth above, that was provided or made available to the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates by such third party, and that the Employer and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates have a duty or obligation to keep confidential.  This definition shall not limit any definition of “confidential information” or any equivalent term under state or federal law.
		

		
			 
		

		
			 (iii)        “Material Contact” as to a customer or prospective customer shall mean (A) having dealings with a customer or prospective customer on behalf of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (B) directly coordinating or supervising dealings with a customer or prospective customer on behalf of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (C) obtaining Confidential Information about a customer or prospective customer in the ordinary course of business as a result of Executive’s employment with the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iv)        “Restricted Territory” shall mean the geographic territory within a 50-mile radius of each of the Employer’s corporate office located at 6830 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101; provided, however, that if the physical location of such office shall change during the Term, then the Restricted Territory shall mean the geographic territory within a 50-mile radius of the physical location of such office at such time and, in the event of the termination of Executive’s employment, the Restricted Territory shall mean the geographic territory within a 50-mile radius of the physical location of such office on the Termination Date.
		

		
			  
		

		
			(d)          Equitable Remedies. The parties specifically acknowledge and agree that the remedy at law for any breach of the covenants contained in this Section 11 (the “Protective Covenants”) will be inadequate, and that in the event Executive breaches, or threatens to breach, any of the Protective Covenants, the Employer shall have the right and remedy, without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond, to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, Executive from violating or threatening to violate the Protective Covenants and to have the Protective Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Protective Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Employer and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Employer.  Executive understands and agrees that if Executive violates any of the obligations set forth in the Protective Covenants, the period of restriction applicable to each obligation violated shall cease to run during the pendency of any litigation over such violation, provided that such litigation was initiated during the period of restriction.  Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Employer at law or in equity.  The parties agree that, if the parties become involved in legal action regarding the enforcement of the Protective Covenants, the prevailing party in such action will be entitled, in addition to any other remedy, to recover from the non-prevailing party its or his reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in such action.  The Employer’s ability to enforce its rights under the Protective Covenants or applicable law against Executive shall not be impaired in any way by the existence of a claim or cause of action on the part of Executive based on, or arising out of, this Agreement or any other event or transaction.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(e)          Severability and Modification of Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that each of the Protective Covenants is reasonable and valid in time and scope and in all other respects.  The parties agree that it is their intention that the Protective Covenants be enforced in accordance with their terms to the maximum extent permitted by law.  Each of the Protective Covenants shall be considered and construed as a separate and independent covenant.  Should any part or provision of any of the Protective Covenants be held invalid, void, or unenforceable, 

		 

such invalidity, voidness, or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void, or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement or such Protective Covenant.  If any of the provisions of the Protective Covenants should ever be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the scope permitted by the applicable law, such provision or provisions shall be automatically modified to such lesser scope as such court may deem just and proper for the reasonable protection of the Employer’s legitimate business interests and may be enforced by the Employer to that extent in the manner described above and all other provisions of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable.
		

		
			 
		

		
			12.         Executive’s Representations. Executive hereby represents to the Employer that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive and the Employer and the performance by Executive of Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any employment agreement or other agreement or policy to which Executive is a party or otherwise bound. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is not subject to any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, common law nondisclosure obligation, fiduciary duty, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant or any other obligation to any former employer or to any other person or entity that conflicts in any way with Executive’s ability to be employed by or perform services for the Employer.  Executive will not disclose to the Employer or use on its behalf any proprietary or confidential information of any other party required to be kept confidential by Executive.
		

		
			 
		

		
			13.         Assignment and Successors.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Executive. This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Employer shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          The Employer. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Employer and its successors and assigns. The Bancorp and the Bank will each require any successor to it (whether direct or indirect, by stock or asset purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) or to all or substantially all of its business or assets to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent it would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
		

		
			 
		

		
			14.         Miscellaneous.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(a)          Waiver. Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(b)          Severability. If any provision or covenant, or any part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(c)          Entire Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Employer and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and from and after the Effective Date supersedes and invalidates all previous employment agreements with Executive. No representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, which are not embodied herein shall be of any force or effect.
		

		
			  
		

		
			(d)          Withholdings. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Employer shall withhold from any amounts payable or benefits provided under this Agreement any federal, state and local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(e)          Compliance with Section 409A.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          It is intended that this Agreement shall conform with all applicable Section 409A requirements to the extent Section 409A applies to any provisions of the Agreement. Accordingly, in interpreting, construing or applying any provisions of the Agreement, the same shall be construed in such 

		 

manner as shall meet and comply with Section 409A, and in the event of any inconsistency with Section 409A, the same shall be reformed so as to meet the requirements of Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event shall Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. Executive acknowledges that the Employer has not made, and does not make, any representation or warranty regarding the treatment of this Agreement or the benefits payable under this Agreement under federal, state or local income tax laws, including, but not limited to, Section 409A or compliance with the requirements thereof.  Neither Employer nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(ii)        Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (“Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation”) would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder, such Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation will not be payable or distributable to Executive by reason of such circumstance unless the circumstances giving rise to such payment event meet any description or definition of “separation from service” in Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations (without giving effect to any elective provisions that may be available under such definition).    
		

		
			 
		

		
			(iii)         To the extent Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, notwithstanding the timing of payment provided in any other Section of this Agreement, no payment, distribution or benefit under this Agreement that constitutes a distribution of deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) upon separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), after taking into account all available exemptions, that would otherwise be payable, distributable or settled during the six-month period after separation from service, will be made during such six-month period, and any such payment, distribution or benefit will instead be paid, distributed or settled on the first business day after such six-month period; provided, however, that if Executive dies following the Termination Date and prior to the payment, distribution, settlement or provision of any payments, distributions or benefits delayed on account of Section 409A, then such payments, distributions or benefits shall be paid or provided to the personal representative of Executive’s estate within 30 days after the date of Executive’s death. 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(f)If Executive is entitled to be paid or reimbursed for any taxable expenses under this Agreement, and such payments or reimbursements are includible in Executive’s federal gross taxable income, the amount of such expenses reimbursable in any one calendar year shall not affect the amount reimbursable in any other calendar year, and the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made no later than December 31 of the year after the year in which the expense was incurred.  No right of Executive to reimbursement of expenses under this Agreement shall be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(f)          Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any bonus, incentive-based, equity-based or other similar compensation paid to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Employer which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Employer pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement).
		

		
			 
		

		
			(g)          Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Virginia shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether as to its validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(h)          Arbitration. Except for any claim for injunctive relief hereunder or as provided in Section 11 hereof, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The place of arbitration shall be selected by the Employer. The decision of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding upon the parties, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitration panel may be entered by any court having 

		 

jurisdiction. The parties agree that Executive and the Employer shall each bear one-half of the administrative expenses (filing and arbitrator costs) associated with the arbitration, and the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement for the additional costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by such party in connection with any such dispute.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(i)          Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by nationally recognized overnight courier service or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, when delivered by nationally recognized overnight courier service or, if mailed, five days after the date of deposit in the United States mail, as follows:
		

		
			 
		

		
			To the Employer:
		

		
			 
		

		
			SONABANK
		

		
			6830 Old Dominion Drive
		

		
			McLean, Virginia 22101
		

		
			Attention: Board of Directors
		

		
			 
		

		
			To Executive:
		

		
			 
		

		
			At the most recent address on file for Executive with the Employer.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(j)          Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in the same manner provided herein.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(k)          Survival. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of Sections 7, 10, 11 and 14(e)-(j), the definitions of defined terms used therein and the remaining provisions of this Section 14 (to the extent necessary to effectuate the survival of the foregoing provisions) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder.
		

		
			 
		

		
			(l)          Amendments and Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by all parties hereto that makes specific reference to this Agreement.
		

		
			 
		

		
			[Signature page follows.]
		

		
			 
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Executive Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.
		

		
			 
		

		
			BANCORP
		

		
			 
		

		
			By:       __________________________
		

		
			Name: __________________________
		

		
			Title:    __________________________
		

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			BANK
		

		
			 
		

		
			By:       __________________________
		

		
			Name: __________________________
		

		
			Title:    __________________________
		

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			EXECUTIVE
		

		
			 
		

		
			/s/ Dennis J. Zember, Jr.sona_Ex10_3

		
			                                                        Exhibit 10.3
		

		
			 
		

		
			SEPARATION AGREEMENT
		

		
			 
		

		
			THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 6 hereof, by and between Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (the “Company”) and Ms. Georgia S. Derrico (“Employee”).  Together, the Company and Employee may be referred to hereinafter as the “Parties.”  
		

		
			 
		

		
			In consideration of the payments, covenants and releases described below, and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Employee agree as follows:
		

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 1.
			

			
	
			
			Resignations.  In order to effect Employee’s separation from the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sonabank, Employee hereby resigns (a) Employee’s position as Executive Chairman of the Board of each of the Company and Sonabank, effective as of March 30, 2020 (the “Separation Date”), (b) Employee’s position as a member of the boards of directors of each of the Company and Sonabank, effective as of the date of the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, which is currently expected to be held on May 23, 2020 (the “Annual Meeting Date”), (c) Employee’s employment with the Company and Sonabank and, except as set forth in Section 1(b), all other positions Employee holds with the Company, Sonabank, and any of their respective affiliates (including, without limitation, Southern Trust Mortgage, LLC (“STM”)), effective as of the Separation Date, and (d) Employee’s position as a member of the board of managers and any other governing body of STM, effective as of the Separation Date).  Employee agrees and acknowledges that she has been paid all outstanding wages through and including the date of Employee’s most recent paycheck, less customary and applicable payroll deductions.  Employee confirms and agrees that she has received all wages, commissions, reimbursements, payments, or other benefits to which Employee is entitled as a result of Employee’s employment with the Company and Sonabank, other than those that have not yet become due pursuant to the normal payroll schedule of the Company and Sonabank and which the Company agrees will be paid in accordance with such normal payroll schedule.  In addition, the Company agrees to reimburse Employee for any business expenses incurred in the ordinary course which have not yet been reimbursed, in accordance with the Company’s normal practices.  Other than the payments set forth in this Agreement, the parties agree that neither the Company nor Sonabank owes any additional amounts to Employee for wages, back pay, severance pay, bonuses, damages, accrued vacation, benefits, insurance, sick leave, other leave, or any other reason.  This Agreement is intended to and does settle and resolve all claims of any nature that Employee might have against the Company or Sonabank arising out of their employment relationship or the termination of employment or relating to any other matter. 

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 2.
			

			
	
			
			Consideration for this Agreement.  In consideration of Employee’s promises and the General Release of Claims and Covenant Not To Sue contained in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Company agrees to:

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 a.
			pay or provide to Employee the payments and benefits set forth in Section 5(a) of the Employment Agreement (as defined in Section 7 hereof), subject to the terms and conditions thereof, except that (1) Employee shall receive twelve (12) months (instead of six (6) months) of 

		 

	base salary continuation at the rate in effect on the Separation Date, payable in accordance with the established payroll practices of the Company (but not less frequently than monthly and in equal installments); and (2) Section 5(a)(ii) of the Employment Agreement shall be amended to provide that the Company shall provide Employee with access to a personal assistant in a manner consistent with past practice for three (3) years (instead of two (2) years) following the Separation Date, provided that the dollar value attributed to the services provided by such personal assistant to Employee shall not exceed $60,000 per year; provided, further, that if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it is unable to provide Employee with such access to a personal assistant at any time during the three years, then the Company shall pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment equal to $60,000 per year for the remainder of the three-year period, pro-rated for partial calendar years; and 

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 b.
			take the following actions with respect to certain of Employee’s outstanding options: (1) amend Employee’s 72,000 options outstanding on the Separation Date with an exercise price greater than $9.70 (the “3-Year Extension Options”) such that the period of time in which Employee has to exercise the shares subject to the 3-Year Extension Options shall be extended until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the original term of each Option or (ii) the third anniversary of the Separation Date; and (2) amend Employee’s 20,000 options outstanding on the Separation Date with an exercise price equal to $9.14 (the “2-Year Extension Options” and, together with the 3-Year Extension Options, the “Extended Options”) such that the period of time in which Employee has to exercise the shares subject to the 2-Year Extension Options shall be extended until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the original term of each Option or (ii) the second anniversary of the Separation Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Extended Option remain outstanding or exercisable: (i) more than 10 years following the date of grant of the Option; or (ii) following the Extended Option’s original expiration date.

		
			 
		

		
			The Company agrees that Employee’s initial annual installment of her Normal Retirement Benefit under her Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan agreement entered into with Sonabank, effective as of April 2, 2018, shall be paid on October 1, 2020. 
		

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 3.
			

			
	
			
			General Release of Claims and Covenant Not To Sue.  

		
			 
		

		
			a.General Release of Claims.  In consideration of the payments made to Employee by the Company and the promises contained in this Agreement, Employee on behalf of himself and Employee’s agents and successors in interest, hereby UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES AND DISCHARGES the Company, its successors, subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Sonabank), parent companies, assigns, joint ventures, and affiliated companies and their respective agents, legal representatives (including, without limitation, Alston & Bird LLP), shareholders, attorneys, employees, members, managers, officers and directors (collectively, the “Releasees”) from ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS AND CAUSES OF ACTION which she may by law release, as well as all contractual obligations not expressly set forth in this Agreement, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that she may have or claim to have against any Releasee for any reason as of the date of execution of this Agreement.  This General Release and Covenant Not To Sue includes, but is not limited to, claims arising under federal, state or local laws prohibiting employment discrimination; claims arising under severance plans and contracts; and claims growing out of any legal restrictions on the Company’s and Sonabank’s rights to terminate its employees or to take any other employment action, whether statutory, contractual or arising 

		 

under common law or case law.  Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that she is releasing any and all rights under federal, state and local employment laws including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Virginia Human Rights Act, the Virginians with Disabilities Act, the Virginia Equal Pay Act, the Virginia Payment of Wage Law, and any and all other local, state, and federal law claims arising under statute or common law.  It is agreed that this is a general release and it is to be broadly construed as a release of all claims, except as set forth in Section 3(d) below.
		

		
			 
		

		
			b.Covenant Not to Sue.  Except as expressly set forth in Section 4 below, Employee further hereby AGREES NOT TO FILE A LAWSUIT or other legal claim or charge to assert against any of the Releasees any claim released by this Agreement, other than to enforce her rights under this Agreement.  
		

		
			 
		

		
			c.Representations and Acknowledgements.  This Agreement is intended to and does settle and resolve all claims of any nature that Employee might have against the Company and Sonabank arising out of their employment relationship or the termination of employment or relating to any other matter, except as set forth in Section 3(d) below.  By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that she is doing so knowingly and voluntarily, that she understands that she may be releasing claims she may not know about, and that she is waiving all rights she may have had under any law that is intended to protect her from waiving unknown claims.  This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or any of the other Releasees of wrongdoing or liability or that Employee has any rights against the Company or any of the other Releasees.  Employee represents and agrees that she has not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim that she is releasing in this Section 3.
		

		
			 
		

		
			d.Exceptions to General Release.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended as, or shall be deemed or operate as, a release by Employee of (i) any rights of Employee under this Agreement; (ii) any vested benefits under any Company or Sonabank-sponsored benefit plans; (iii) any rights under COBRA or similar state law; (iv) any recovery to which Employee may be entitled pursuant to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance laws; (v) Employee’s right to challenge the validity of Employee’s release of claims under the ADEA; (vi) any rights or claims under federal, state, or local law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement; and (vii) any claims arising after the date on which Employee executes this Agreement.
		

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 4.
			

			
	
			
			Protected Rights.  Employee understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Employee’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”).  Employee further understands that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s ability to communicate or share information with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies.  However, 

		 

	based on Employee’s release of claims set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, Employee understands that Employee is releasing all claims and causes of action that Employee might personally pursue or that might be pursued in Employee’s name and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Employee’s right to recover monetary damages or obtain injunctive relief that is personal to Employee in connection with such claims and causes of action.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 5.
			

			
	
			
			Acknowledgment.  Employee shall have until the forty-fifth (45th) day after she receives this Agreement to execute this Agreement.  If she does not execute the Agreement by that date, the offer contained in this Agreement shall be revoked by the Company.  The Company hereby advises Employee to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement and Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has advised, and hereby does advise, Employee of Employee’s opportunity to consult an attorney or other advisor and has not in any way discouraged her from doing so.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that she has been offered at least forty-five (45) days to consider this Agreement before signing it, that she has read this Agreement and Release carefully, and that she has had sufficient time and opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of Employee’s choosing concerning the execution of this Agreement.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that she fully understands that the Agreement is final and binding (except as set forth in Section 6 below), that it contains a full release of all claims and potential claims, and that the only promises or representations she has relied upon in signing this Agreement are those specifically contained in the Agreement itself.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that she is signing this Agreement voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing the Company and the other Releasees from all claims covered by Section 3.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 6.
			

			
	
			
			Revocation and Effective Date.  The Parties agree Employee may revoke the Agreement at will within seven (7) days after she executes the Agreement by giving written notice of revocation to the Company.  Such notice must be delivered to Mark Kanaly, Alston & Bird LLP, 1201 West Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, mark.kanaly@alston.com, and must actually be received by him at or before the above-referenced seven-day deadline.  The Agreement may not be revoked after the expiration of the seven-day deadline.  In the event that Employee revokes the Agreement within the revocation period described in this Section, this Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be void and of no effect.  Assuming that Employee does not revoke this Agreement within the revocation period described above, the effective date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”) shall be the eighth (8th) day after the day on which Employee executes this Agreement.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 7.
			

			
	
			
			Survival of Certain Obligations on Employee.   Employee’s obligations under Section 6 of the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 2, 2019 between Employee and the Company (the “Employment Agreement”), as well as any other provisions of the Employment Agreement necessary to interpret or enforce Employee’s obligations under such Section 6, shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms, and nothing in this Agreement shall alter such obligations or terms.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 8.
			

			
	
			
			Return of Property.  Employee’s access to Employee’s Company e-mail account will be terminated on the April 3, 2020, but the Company will make its IT staff reasonably available between the Separation Date and the Annual Meeting Date to cooperate in good faith with Employee to retrieve Employee’s personal contacts and personal e-mails from such account.  

		 

	Employee represents and warrants that (a) she will return to the Company on or before the Annual Meeting Date, all documents, materials, equipment, keys, recordings, client contact information, other client-related information, sales information, workforce information, production information, computer data, and other material and information relating to Company or any of the other Releasees, or the business of the Company or any of the other Releasees (“Company Property”), and (b) she has not retained or provided to anyone else any copies, excerpts, transcripts, descriptions, portions, abstracts, or other representations of Company Property, except for materials that have been provided to all directors of the Company.  To the extent that Employee has any Company Property in electronic form (including, but not limited to, Company-related e-mail), Employee represents and warrants that, after returning such electronic Company Property as described in this Section, she will permanently delete on or before April 3, 2020, such Company Property from all non-Company-owned computers, mobile devices, electronic media, cloud storage, or other media devices, or equipment.  Employee further represents and warrants that she has not provided and will not provide any Company Property to any third party, including any documents, equipment, or other tangible property, but with the exception of non-confidential materials generally distributed by Company to clients or the general public.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 9.
			

			
	
			
			Non-Disparagement.  Employee agrees that, except as may be required by law or court order, she will not, directly or indirectly, make any statement, oral or written, or perform any act or omission which disparages or casts in a negative light the Company, its business, its employees, or any of the Releasees. This Section 9 is not intended to in any way limit any of the Protected Rights contained in Section 4 of this Agreement, or to prevent Employee from providing truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order, or request from a Government Agency.  In addition, to the extent that Employee engages in discussions or other communications with customers, investors, analysts, or shareholders of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or any other third parties that have business relationships with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or the media, Employee will strictly limit such communications to matters that have been publicly disclosed by the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  The Company will advise the members of its board of directors (and those of the Sonabank’s board of directors) and all executive officers of the Company and Sonabank (collectively, the “Persons to be Advised”) that they should not make public statements that are in any way disparaging or negative towards Employee. The Company will advise the Persons to be Advised that a non-disparagement agreement is in effect and will use reasonable efforts to enforce compliance with this Agreement.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 10.
			

			
	
			
			Final Agreement.  Subject to Section 7, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Parties agree that this Agreement may not be modified except by a written document signed by both Parties.  The Parties agree that this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 11.
			

			
	
			
			Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Virginia without giving effect to its conflict of law principles.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 12.
			

			
	
			
			Severability.  With the exception of the release contained in Section 3, the provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any part of it is found to be unenforceable the other sections 

		 

	shall remain fully and validly enforceable.  If the general release and covenant not to sue set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, this Agreement shall be null and void and Employee will be required to return to the Company all Consideration already paid to Employee.  The language of all valid parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the parties.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 13.
			

			
	
			
			Waiver.  The failure of either party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision.  Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be in a writing signed by the party making such waiver.  No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 14.
			

			
	
			
			No Reemployment.  Employee agrees that by signing this Agreement, she relinquishes any right to employment or reemployment with the Company or any of the other Releasees.  Employee agrees that she will not seek, apply for, accept, or otherwise pursue employment with the Company or any of the Releasees, and acknowledges that if she reapplies for or seeks employment with the Company or any of the Releasees, the Company’s or any of the Releasees’ refusal to hire Employee based on this Section 14 shall provide a complete defense to any claims arising from Employee’s attempt to obtain employment.

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 15.
			

			
	
			
			Stand-Still.  For a period of 24 months from the date of this Agreement, unless Employee shall have been specifically invited in writing by the Company, neither Employee nor any person acting on behalf of or in concert with Employee will in any manner, directly or indirectly, (a) effect or seek, offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) or enter into an agreement to effect, or cause or participate in or in any way assist any other person to effect or seek, offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) to effect or participate in, (i) any acquisition of any securities (or beneficial ownership thereof) or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) any recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other extraordinary transaction with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) or consents to vote any voting securities of the Company, (b) form, join or in any way participate in a “group” (as defined under the 1934 Act) with respect to more than 5% of the securities of the Company, (c) otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek to control or influence the management, board, or policies of the Company, (d) take any action which might force the Company to make a public announcement regarding any of the types of matters set forth in (a) above, or (e) enter into any discussions or arrangements with any third party with respect to any of the foregoing.  Employee also agrees during such period not to request the Company (or its directors, officers, employees, advisors or agents), directly or indirectly, to amend or waive any provision of this paragraph (including this sentence).

		
			 
		

			
	
			
				 16.
			

			
	
			
			Required Disclosure.  Employee acknowledges she has been provided with a notice (Exhibit A to this Agreement), pursuant to the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. § 626(f), that fully complies with the requirements of 29 U.S.C. § 626(f)(1)(H).

		
			 
		

		
			 
		

		
			(Signature page follows)
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			 
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			The Parties hereby signify their agreement to these terms by their signatures below.
		

		
			 
		

			
					
						 

					
						

					
						 

					
						 

					
						

					
						 

					
					
						 

					
						

					
						 

					
						

					
						 

					
						

					
						 

					
						

					
						 

				
	
					
						 

					
						/s/ Georgia S. Derrico

					
						

					
						 

					
						Date: March 30, 2020

					
					
						Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.

					
						 

					
						By: /s/ Dennis J. Zember

					
						 

					
						Name:  Dennis J. Zember, Jr. 

					
						 

					
						Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

					
						 

					
						Date: March 30, 2020

				

		
			 
		

		
			
		

		
			

		 

		

		
			Exhibit A
		

		
			 
		

		
			This notice applies to the exit incentive conducted at Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (the “Company”) and the severance payments being offered in connection therewith (the “Exit Incentive and Severance Program”).  For purposes of the Exit Incentive and Severance Program, you were considered to be a part of the organizational unit consisting of employees working as part of the Office of the Chairman (the “Organizational Unit”).  To be eligible for the Severance described in the attached Agreement, you must execute the Agreement within forty-five (45) days after you receive it, and not revoke the Agreement during the seven (7) day revocation period following execution of the Agreement.  The Severance offered in the Agreement in connection with the Exit Incentive and Severance Program is, therefore, contingent upon the Company receiving a signed and unrevoked Agreement, which includes a general release of claims, from you.  
		

		
			 
		

		
			The following is a list of the ages and job titles of persons in the Organizational Unit who were selected for inclusion in the Exit Incentive and Severance Program in exchange for signing an agreement which includes a general release:
		

		
			 
		

			
					
						Job Title

					
					
						Age

				
	
					
						Executive Chairman

					
					
						75

				
	
					
						Executive Vice Chairman

					
					
						75

				

		
			 
		

		
			There are not any employees in the Organizational Unit who were not selected for inclusion in the Exit Incentive and Severance Program.

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