SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): March 31, 2011
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
MARYLAND
(State of Incorporation)
  001-31775
(Commission File Number)
  86-1062192
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100    
Dallas, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)
  75254
(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600
Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

ITEM 5.02—DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS
(e)   Entry into Material Contract with Named Executive Officer and Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
      Release and Waiver of Alan Tallis . Mr. Alan Tallis, Executive Vice President of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) announced his retirement effective February 1, 2011, as reported on Form 8-K, filed on November 19, 2010. In connection with his retirement, Mr. Tallis, the Company, and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) entered into a Release and Waiver Agreement (the “Termination Release”) pursuant to the terms of an Employment Agreement, dated March 31, 2008, by and between Mr. Tallis, the Company and the Operating Partnership. According to the Termination Agreement, Mr. Tallis agrees to release and waive any and all claims he may have against the Company or the Operating Partnership in exchange for payment of certain compensation and severance amounts and other terms and conditions as set out in the Termination Agreement.
     In exchange for his full release and waiver and continued adherence to the terms and conditions of the Termination Agreement, which include Mr. Tallis agreeing to remain unemployed for approximately two years (except for minimal consultation services for the Company and, after the one-year anniversary of the Termination Agreement, for other companies) and standard non-solicitation, non-interference, and non-disparagement provisions, the Company and the Operating Partnership agree to waive the forfeiture provisions in the stock grant agreements that granted Mr. Tallis unvested restricted stock grants during his tenure with the Company. The Termination Agreement will allow Mr. Tallis to retain stock grants that are unvested as of the date of the Termination Agreement and permit such stock grants to vest according to the terms as described in the respective stock grant agreements.
     This description of the Termination Agreement is only a summary of the material terms of the Termination Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Termination Agreement as attached in Exhibit 10.1 to this report.
      Cash Incentive Bonuses and Equity Awards . On March 31, 2011, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company approved the recommendations of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) with respect to the 2010 annual cash incentive bonuses as set forth in the following table. On April 5, 2011, the Board approved the recommendations of the Committee with respect to annual equity awards pursuant to the Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”), with a grant date of April 6, 2011, for each of the Company’s executive officers, also as set forth in the following table.
                                         
            Equity Awards
Executive Officer   Cash Incentive Bonus 1   Restricted Stock   LTIP Units 2
    ($)   (#)   ($)   (#)   ($) 3
Archie Bennett, Jr.
  $ 400,000                   97,888   $1,109,071      
Monty J. Bennett
    1,400,000                   268,708   3,044,462      
Douglas A. Kessler
    825,000                   151,628   1,717,945      
David A. Brooks
    531,250                   151,628   1,717,945      
David J. Kimichik
    337,500                   165,000   1,869,450      
Mark L. Nunneley
    206,250                   125,000   1,416,250      
Alan L. Tallis
    337,500                            
 
1   Payable by the Company on or about April 1, 2011.
 
2   Issued pursuant to award agreements entered into by the Company with the applicable executive officer and the Company’s Chairman to grant such individuals long term incentive partnership units of Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, the Company’s operating partnership (“LTIP Units”) under the Stock Plan (the “LTIP Unit Award Agreements”) at a cost of $0.05 per unit to each grantee. The LTIP Units vest in three equal annual installments for Messrs. Kimichik and Nunneley, and in four equal annual installments for the remaining officers, in each case commencing on March 31, 2012.
 
3   Valued at $11.33 per LTIP Unit, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on April 6, 2012, less the $0.05 capital contribution made by the individual for each LTIP Unit, assuming each LTIP Unit is convertible into one share of common stock on the date of issuance.

 


 

Each executive had the option of receiving his respective equity awards in the form of restricted stock or LTIP units.
     The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s Form of LTIP Unit Award Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2008. The only difference between the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference are the number of LTIP units awarded and the vesting schedule for each individual, each of which is set forth above.
     ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
     (d) Exhibits
  10.1   Release and Waiver

 


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 6, 2011
         
  ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ David A. Brooks    
    David A. Brooks   
    Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel   
 

 

Exhibit 10.1
RELEASE AND WAIVER
     THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER (the “Termination Release”) is made as of the _____ day of ___________, 2010, and shall be effective as of February 1, 2011, by and between ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. (the “REIT”) and ALAN TALLIS (the “Executive”).
     WHEREAS, the Executive, Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “REIT”), and Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) have entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated effective as of March 31, 2008, and providing certain compensation and severance amounts upon the Executive’s termination of employment; and
     WHEREAS, the Executive has agreed, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, to execute a release and waiver in the form set forth in this Termination Release in consideration of the REIT and the Operating Partnership (collectively, the “Company”) agreeing to provide the compensation and severance amounts and agreeing to the other terms and conditions to become effective upon the Executive’s termination of employment set out in this Termination Release, and in accordance with the terms hereof and those other agreements referenced herein; and
     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to settle all rights, duties and obligations between them, including without limitation all such rights, duties, and obligations arising under the Agreement or otherwise out of the Executive’s employment by the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
     NOW THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound and for good and valid consideration the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
     1. RELEASE.
     (a) The Executive knowingly and voluntarily releases, acquits, covenants not to sue and forever discharges the Company, and their respective affiliates, owners, parents, stockholders, predecessors, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, divisions and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, damages, causes of action, suits, rights, costs, losses, debts and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, against them which the Executive or any of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns ever had, now has or at any time hereafter may have, own or hold by reason of any matter, fact, or cause whatsoever from the beginning of time up to and including the date of this Termination Release, including without limitation all claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Employee Retirement Income Security

 


 

Act of 1974, Texas Labor Code Section 21.001, et seq. (Texas Employment Discrimination); Texas Labor Code Section 61.001, et seq. (Texas Pay Day Act); Texas Labor Code Section 62.002, et seq. (Texas Minimum Wage Act); Texas Labor Code Section 201.001, et seq. (Texas Unemployment Compensation Act); Texas Labor Code Section 401.001, et seq., specifically Section 451.001 formerly codified as Article 8307c of the Revised Civil Statutes (Texas Workers’ Compensation Act and Discrimination Issues); and Texas Genetic Information and Testing Law, each as amended, or any other federal, state or local laws, rules, regulations, judicial decisions or public policies now or hereafter recognized, SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDING from the scope of the release contained in this Termination Release, those matters, considerations and future obligations of the Company set forth in Section 8(c) and otherwise as set forth in the Agreement
     (b) The Executive represents that he has not filed or permitted to be filed against any of the Releasees, any complaints, charges or lawsuits and covenants and agrees that he will not seek or be entitled to any personal recovery in any court or before any governmental agency, arbitrator or self-regulatory body against any of the Releasees arising out of any matters set forth in Section 1(a) hereof. Notwithstanding anything in this Termination Release to the contrary, nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from seeking to enforce his rights under this Termination Release or the Agreement. Further, the Executive does not, by virtue of his execution of this Termination Release, hereby waive or release his rights to any benefits under the respective Company employee benefit plans to which he is or will be entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans in the ordinary course.
     (c) The Executive acknowledges that on or about each of March 21, 2008, April 2, 2009, August 15, 2008 and March 24, 2010, the Executive was issued a number of unvested restricted stock grants pursuant to the 2003 stock incentive plan of the REIT (the “Stock Grants”), which Stock Grants are represented and governed by separate written agreements entitled “Grant of Restricted Stock” (the “Stock Grant Agreements”). Pursuant to the Stock Grant Agreements, (a) 33.33% of the Stock Grants vest on each anniversary date of the issuance of such Stock Grants over a period of three years, and (b) upon any resignation or removal from employment with the REIT or its affiliates, all unvested Stock Grants are forfeited by the Executive (the “Forfeiture Clause”). Notwithstanding the Forfeiture Clause to the contrary, the REIT agrees to permit the Executive to retain all unvested Stock Grants held as of the date hereof, which Stock Grants will vest proportionately in the same timeframe as provided in each respective Stock Grant Agreement, all as more specifically set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto; provided, however, it shall be a condition to the vesting of any Stock Grants that the Executive shall not have breached any of the terms and conditions of this Termination Release. In the event of a material, uncured (after due notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure provided to Executive) breach by the Executive of any of the material terms and conditions of this Termination Release, all unvested Stock Grants shall be forfeited by the Executive, and the Company and Executive will each retain all rights, remedies and defenses available at law or in equity, except where specifically waived or released hereunder.

 


 

     (d) At all times prior to the date that 100% of the Stock Grants become fully vested (i.e., March 24, 2013), the Executive will remain unemployed, except (i) for the permitted activities described in Section 1(c)(i), (ii) and (iii) of the Agreement, (ii) consulting work with the Company and its affiliates as reasonably required by the Company from time to time, not in excess of 15 / hours per week on average during any particular month, and (iii) following the first anniversary of the date of this Termination Release, consulting work with any other company or organization not in excess of fifteen (15) hours per week on average during any particular month. Following the first anniversary of the date of this Termination Release through March 24, 2013, the Company shall pay the Executive for any such consulting work with the Company and its affiliates at a rate of $400 per hour.
     (e) The parties agree that the Executive’s termination of employment is the result of the voluntary resignation of the Executive, which is characterized under the Agreement as a “Termination by Executive Without Good Reason”. The Date of Termination is February 1, 2011.
     2. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Executive covenants and agrees he will not make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage the Company or their respective affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses or reputations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein or in the Agreement shall preclude the Executive from making truthful statements or disclosures that are required by applicable law, regulation, or legal process.
     3. NON-SOLICITATION. The Executive covenants and agrees he shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, for a period ending three (3) years from the Date of Termination (as defined in the Agreement), directly or indirectly, whether for his own account or on behalf of any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity or enterprise, solicit, recruit, hire or cause to be hired any employees of the Company or any of their affiliates, or any person who was an employee of the Company during the six months preceding the Executive’s Date of Termination (as defined in the Agreement), or solicit or encourage any employee of the Company or any of their affiliates to leave the employment of the Company or any of such affiliates, as applicable.
     4. NON-INTERFERENCE WITH COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES. The Executive understands and agrees that all business opportunities with which he is involved during his employment with the Company constitute valuable assets of the Company and their affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Executive’s own use or converted by Executive for the use of any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity or enterprise. Accordingly, Executive agrees he shall not, directly or indirectly, whether for his own account or on behalf of any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity or enterprise, interfere with, solicit, pursue, or in any manner make use of any such business opportunities.

 


 

     5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The Company have advised the Executive to consult with an attorney of his choosing prior to signing this Termination Release and the Executive hereby represents to the Company that he has been offered an opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Termination Release.
          BECAUSE THE EXECUTIVE IS OVER FORTY (40) YEARS OF AGE, HE HAS SPECIFIC RIGHTS UNDER THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFITS PROTECTION ACT (“OWBPA”), WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE, AND THAT THE RELEASES SET FORTH IN THIS TERMINATION RELEASE ARE INTENDED TO RELEASE ANY RIGHT HE MAY HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE COMPANY ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE.
          THE EXECUTIVE’S SIGNATURE BELOW CERTIFIES THAT THE COMPANY HAS PROVIDED HIM WITH TWENTY-ONE DAYS (UNTIL DECEMBER ____, 2010) IN WHICH TO CONSIDER AND ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS TERMINATION RELEASE BY SIGNING BELOW AND RETURNING IT TO DAVID BROOKS, C/O ASHFORD HOSPITALTIY TRUST. EXECUTIVE HAS THE RIGHT TO WAIVE THE TWENTY-ONE (21) DAY PERIOD BY EXECUTING THE TERMINATION RELEASE AND DELIVERING THE EXECUTED ORIGINAL TERMINATION RELEASE TO THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY HEREBY ADVISES EXECUTIVE THAT GRANTING SUCH WAIVERS IS VOLUNTARY AND THAT ACCEPTANCE OF THIS TERMINATION RELEASE IS VOLUNTARY. IN ADDITION, EXECUTIVE MAY RESCIND HIS ASSENT TO THIS TERMINATION RELEASE IF, WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER HE SIGNS IT, HE DELIVERS A NOTICE OF RESCISSION TO THE COMPANY. TO BE EFFECTIVE, SUCH RESCISSION MUST BE HAND DELIVERED OR POSTMARKED WITHIN THE SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD AND SENT BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO DAVID BROOKS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND GENERAL COUNSEL, ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, 14185 DALLAS PARKWAY, DALLAS, TX, 75254. IF THE TERMINATION RELEASE IS NOT REVOKED OR RESCINDED WITHIN THE SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD, THE TERMINATION RELEASE SHALL BECOME BINDING ON THE PARTIES HERETO. HOWEVER, IF THE TERMINATION RELEASE IS TIMELY REVOKED OR RESCINDED, THIS OFFER OF SETTLEMENT SHALL TERMINATE AND THE TERMINATION RELEASE SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have executed this Termination Release under seal as of the day and year first above written.
                 
         
    Alan Tallis    
 
               
    Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.    
 
               
 
  By:            
             
        David Brooks    
        Chief Operating Officer    
 
               
    Ashford Hospitality Limited Partnership    
 
               
    By:   Ashford OP General Partner LLC    
 
               
 
      By:        
 
         
 
David Brooks
   
 
          Vice President    

 


 

Schedule 1
Unvested Stock Grants and Vesting Schedule
                     
Stock Grant Issue   Total Unvested         Number of Shares to  
Date   Shares Outstanding     Vesting Date   Vest  
March 21, 2008
    0     N/A     0  
 
                   
August 15, 2008
    3,334     August 15, 2011     3,334  
 
                   
April 2, 2009
    64,867     April 2, 2011     32,433  
 
          April 2, 2012     32,434  
 
                   
March 24, 2010
    185,000     March 24, 2011     61,666  
 
          March 24, 2012     61,667  
 
          March 24, 2013     61,667  
Total Unvested Shares Outstanding = 253,201 shares