| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On August 30, 2023, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of (i) Dominic E. Dragisich as Executive Vice President, Operations and Chief Global Brand Officer and (ii) Scott E. Oaksmith as Chief Financial Officer, in each case, effective as of September 1, 2023.
Mr. Dragisich, age 41, has served as Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in March 2017 and was instrumental in the recent acquisition of the Radisson Hotels Americas business. In his new role, Mr. Dragisich will continue to lead the Company’s corporate development efforts and will oversee the Company’s Upscale, Core and Extended Stay brands, as well as franchise development, brand operations, and international. In connection with Mr. Dragisich’s new role, the Human Capital and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) approved the following adjustments to Mr. Dragisich’s compensation: (i) annual base salary will be increased from $700,000 to $750,000 and (ii) target incentive opportunity under the Company’s short-term incentive plan will be increased from 100% to 115% of his annual base salary.
Mr. Oaksmith, age 51, joined the Company in 2002 and served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer from May 2016 to March 2020, as Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Finance from April 2020 to May 2023, and as Senior Vice President, Deputy Chief Financial Officer since May 2023. He previously functioned as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer from June 2016 to March 2017. In connection with Mr. Oaksmith’s new role, the Committee approved the following compensation arrangements: (i) annual base salary of $525,000, (ii) target incentive opportunity under the Company’s short-term incentive plan of 75% of his annual base salary, and (iii) target annual equity grant award value under the Company’s long-term incentive program of 150% of his annual base salary.
In connection with the foregoing management changes, Mr. Oaksmith will serve as the Company’s principal financial and accounting officer, effective as of September 1, 2023.
In addition, John E. Bonds, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Enterprise Operations and Technology, will be resigning from the Company effective November 10, 2023 to pursue other opportunities. There are no disagreements between the Company and Mr. Bonds on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices in connection with his planned departure.
A copy of the press release regarding this announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
