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DEF 14A Filing
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (PEB) DEF 14ADefinitive proxy
Filed: 28 Apr 17, 12:00am
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrantý | ||
Filed by a Party other than the Registranto | ||
Check the appropriate box: | ||
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
ý | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
o | Definitive Additional Materials | |
o | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | ||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | ||||
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) | ||||
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | ||||
ý | No fee required. | |||
o | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |||
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |||
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |||
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |||
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |||
(5) | Total fee paid: | |||
o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
o | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |||
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |||
(3) | Filing Party: | |||
(4) | Date Filed: |
7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100 West
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
PEBBLEBROOK HOTEL TRUST
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (the "Company") will be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Hunton & Williams LLP, 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 for the following purposes:
Shareholders of record of the Company's common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, at the close of business on March 31, 2017 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please register in advance with Investor Relations by email at investors@pebblebrookhotels.com or by phone at (240) 507-1306. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to persons who present proof of share ownership as of the record date and picture identification. If you hold shares directly in your name as the shareholder of record, proof of ownership would include a copy of your account statement. If you hold shares through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, proof of share ownership would include a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee or a copy of your brokerage or bank account statement. Additionally, if you intend to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting and hold your shares through an intermediary, you must request a "legal proxy" from your broker, bank or other nominee and bring the legal proxy to the Annual Meeting. If you are representing an entity that is a shareholder, you must provide evidence of your authority to represent that entity at the Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing access to our proxy materials through the Internet. On or about April 28, 2017, we expect to mail to
our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice"), which will indicate how to access our proxy materials on the Internet.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, your vote is very important, and we encourage you to vote promptly. You may vote your shares via a toll-free telephone number or through the Internet. If you received a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, you may sign, date and mail the proxy card in the envelope provided. Instructions regarding all three methods of voting will be contained in the proxy card or the Notice that you receive. If you execute a proxy by telephone, through the Internet or by mailing in a proxy card, but later decide to attend the Annual Meeting in person, or for any other reason desire to revoke your proxy, you may do so at any time before your proxy is voted.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES | ||
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Raymond D. Martz Secretary |
Bethesda, Maryland
April 28, 2017
7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100 West
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30, 2017
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of trustees (the "Board of Trustees" or the "Board") of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") for use at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the offices of Hunton & Williams LLP, 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Pursuant to rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we are providing access to our proxy materials through the Internet. On or about April 28, 2017, we expect to mail to our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees for use at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. On the date of mailing, we will make this Proxy Statement, including the Notice of Annual Meeting attached hereto, and our annual report to shareholders, which will include our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the "Annual Report on Form 10-K"), publicly available on the Internet according to the instructions provided in the Notice.
If you received the Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials other than as described herein. Instead, the Notice instructs you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy through the Internet. If you received the Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.
This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and our annual report to shareholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K with audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016, are first being sent to our shareholders on or about April 28, 2017.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders To Be Held on June 30, 2017: This Proxy Statement and our annual report to shareholders are available on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. On this site, you will be able to access this Proxy Statement, our annual report to shareholders, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing material that are required to be furnished to shareholders.
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We will employ Broadridge Financial Solutions to receive and tabulate the proxies.
By Internet—before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 29, 2017
You may vote via the Internet by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions on the screen. Have your Notice or proxy card available when you access the web page.
By Telephone—before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 29, 2017
You may vote by telephone by calling the toll-free telephone number on your proxy card (1-800-690-6903), which is available 24 hours a day, and following prerecorded instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call. If you hold your Common Shares in street name, your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee may provide additional instructions to you regarding voting your Common Shares by telephone.
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By Mail—proxy card must be received by June 29, 2017
If you received your proxy materials by mail, you may vote by mail by marking the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing it, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided, or returning it to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.
In Person—only at the Annual Meeting on June 30, 2017
If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting, please register in advance with Investor Relations by email at investors@pebblebrookhotels.com or by phone at (240) 507-1306. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to persons who present proof of share ownership as of the record date and picture identification. If you hold Common Shares directly in your name as the shareholder of record, proof of ownership would include a copy of your account statement.If you hold Common Shares through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, proof of share ownership would include a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee or a copy of your brokerage or bank account statement. Additionally, if you intend to vote your Common Shares at the meeting and hold your Common Shares through an intermediary, you must request a "legal proxy" from your broker, bank or other nominee and bring that legal proxy to the meeting. If you are representing an entity that is a shareholder, you must provide evidence of your authority to represent that entity at the Annual Meeting.
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Proposal | Vote Requirement | |
---|---|---|
Proposal 1: Election of Trustees | The vote of a plurality of all of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary for the election of a trustee. For purposes of this vote, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. | |
Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants | The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary to ratify the appointment of the Company's independent registered public accountants, which is considered a routine matter. For purposes of this vote, abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. | |
Proposal 3: Approval of Our Named Executive Officers' Compensation ("Say-On-Pay") | The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary to approve, by non-binding vote, the compensation of our named executive officers. For purposes of this advisory vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Although the advisory vote is non-binding, the Board of Trustees will review the results of the vote and will take them into account in making determinations concerning executive compensation. | |
Proposal 4: Non-binding Shareholder Proposal from the Union to Adopt A Majority Voting Standard for Uncontested Elections of Trustees | The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary to approve, by non-binding vote, the shareholder proposal, if it is properly brought before the Annual Meeting. For purposes of this non-binding vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. |
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Proposal | Vote Requirement | |
---|---|---|
Proposal 5: Recommendation, by Advisory and Non-binding Vote, on Frequency of Conducting Say-On-Pay Votes ("Say-When-On-Pay") | The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the most votes of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been recommended by shareholders. For purposes of this advisory vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. This vote is advisory and not binding on the Board or the Company in any way, and the Board or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may determine that it is in the best interests of the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option recommended by our shareholders. |
Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), brokerage firms may have the discretionary authority to vote their customers' Common Shares on certain routine matters for which they do not receive voting instructions, including the ratification of independent auditors, and thus brokers may vote on Proposal 2. The NYSE has stated that the uncontested election of trustees is no longer considered a "routine" matter for purposes of broker discretionary voting. The SEC has specifically prohibited broker discretionary voting with respect to the advisory vote on executive compensation.
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of seven members who serve for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The term of membership expires at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Board of Trustees has nominated each of our seven current trustees, Jon E. Bortz, Cydney C. Donnell, Ron E. Jackson, Phillip M. Miller, Michael J. Schall, Earl E. Webb and Laura H. Wright (each, a "Nominee" and, collectively, the "Nominees"), for election as a trustee to serve until the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board of Trustees anticipates that each Nominee will serve, if elected, as a trustee. However, if any person nominated by the Board of Trustees is unable or unwilling to serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Board of Trustees may recommend.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR ALL" NOMINEES IN
PROPOSAL 1.
Information Regarding the Nominees
We believe that all of the Nominees are intelligent, experienced, collegial, insightful and proactive with respect to management and risk oversight, and that they exercise good judgment. The biographical descriptions below set forth certain information with respect to each Nominee, including the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Nominee that led us to conclude that such person should serve as a trustee.
Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jon E. Bortz | 60 | Mr. Bortz has served as our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer since our formation in October 2009. Mr. Bortz served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of LaSalle Hotel Properties, a publicly traded hotel REIT, from its formation in April 1998 until his retirement in September 2009. In addition, Mr. Bortz served as Chairman of the Board of LaSalle Hotel Properties from January 1, 2001 until his retirement from LaSalle Hotel Properties. | |||
Prior to forming LaSalle Hotel Properties, Mr. Bortz founded the Hotel Investment Group of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated in January 1994 and as its President oversaw all of Jones Lang LaSalle's hotel investment and development activities. From January 1995 to April 1998, as Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle's Investment Advisory Division, he was also responsible for certain East Coast development projects. From January 1990 to 1995, he was a Senior Vice President of Jones Lang LaSalle's Investment Division, with responsibility for East Coast development projects and workouts. Mr. Bortz joined Jones Lang LaSalle in 1981. He is a current member of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, for which he also serves as Treasurer. Mr. Bortz also serves on the board of trustees of Federal Realty Investment Trust. Mr. Bortz holds a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). | |||||
Among other qualifications, Mr. Bortz brings to the Board of Trustees executive leadership experience, including his long and distinguished |
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Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
career as chairman and chief executive of two publicly traded REITs in the lodging industry, along with extensive experience in hotel asset management and development. | |||||
Cydney C. Donnell | 57 | Ms. Donnell has served on the Board since the completion of the initial public offering of our Common Shares (our "IPO") in December 2009. She has been an Executive Professor at the Mays Business School of Texas A&M University since August 2004, where she currently serves as Director of Real Estate Programs and the Associate Department Head—Finance. Ms. Donnell joined the Mays School in January 2004. Ms. Donnell was formerly a principal and Managing Director of European Investors/E.I.I. Realty Securities, Inc., or EII. Ms. Donnell served in various capacities at EII and was Chair of the Investment Committee from 2002 to 2003, the Head of the Real Estate Securities Group and Portfolio Manager from 1992 to 2002 and Vice President and Analyst from 1986 to 1992. Prior to joining EII, she was a real estate lending officer at RepublicBanc Corporation in San Antonio from 1982 to 1986. She currently serves as Chair of the Risk Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of American Campus Communities, a publicly traded, student-housing REIT, and as a member of the Valuation, Nominating and Compensation, and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Madison Harbor Balanced Strategies, Inc., a real estate fund of funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which is in process of liquidating and deregistering. Ms. Donnell has served as the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas and on the Board and Institutional Advisory Committee of NAREIT. Ms. Donnell received a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. | |||
Among other qualifications, Ms. Donnell brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including experience in the public real estate industry and investment experience in publicly traded real estate securities, along with experience from teaching courses on corporate governance and real estate capital markets at the business school level. | |||||
Ron E. Jackson | 74 | Mr. Jackson has served on the Board since the completion of our IPO in December 2009. Mr. Jackson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Meadowbrook Golf, a multi-faceted golf company with divisions in golf turf equipment, golf maintenance and golf operations. Prior to joining Meadowbrook Golf in January 2001, Mr. Jackson was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Resort Condominiums International, or RCI, a Cendant Company with 2,600 resorts in 109 countries. Prior to RCI, Mr. Jackson was the Chief Operating Officer of Chartwell Leisure, a hotel owner/operator and developer. Prior to Chartwell Leisure, Mr. Jackson was the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunbelt Hotels and Sunbelt Management Company, which was the largest franchisee of Hilton Hotels in the United States. Mr. Jackson is currently a member of the College Advisory Board of the University of Houston for the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and |
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Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restaurant Management. Mr. Jackson received a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from Brigham Young University and an M.B.A. from the University of Utah. | |||||
Among other qualifications, Mr. Jackson brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including his experience as a chief executive of a large company in the golf industry, along with significant experience as a senior executive in the lodging and resort industry. | |||||
Phillip M. Miller | 64 | Mr. Miller has served on the Board since May 2011. Mr. Miller is Senior Vice President of Global Payment Relations and Sponsorships for First Data Corporation. Mr. Miller has held this position since September 2015 and is responsible for managing First Data's relationship with its payment networks and bank sponsors, globally. From March 2012 to September 2015, Mr. Miller was Global Head—Acquiring Knowledge Center for MasterCard Advisors, responsible for Electronic Payments Thought Leadership and consulting engagements with banks globally. From January 2010 to March 2012, Mr. Miller was Senior Vice President and Group Head of MasterCard Worldwide, where he was responsible for the disciplines of market development and marketing for the e-commerce and retail business groups. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Miller served as Global Solutions Leader for MasterCard Advisors, where he was responsible for consulting engagements in strategy and information services for large Banks and Card Acquirers globally. Prior to joining MasterCard, from 2002 to 2005, Mr. Miller served as Executive Chairman of Teleglobal International, LTD, a stored-value, secure online payments product, where he was responsible for general management of the company. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Miller was President and Chief Executive Officer of Chase Merchant Services, LLC, a division of Chase Bank, where he served as operational head and general manager of the largest card acquiring business in the United States. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Miller served as Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Product Development for GE Money, the consumer financial services division of General Electric Company in over 15 countries globally. From 1985 to 1995, Mr. Miller served as Vice President of International Product Development and Marketing for Citibank's International Private Banking business in major money centers globally. Mr. Miller received a B.S. in Marketing and an M.B.A. in International Business and Finance from The American University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Miller received a Certificate of Corporate Governance—Effectiveness and Accountability in the Boardroom from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. | |||
Among other qualifications, Mr. Miller brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including his extensive experience as a senior executive in the financial services industry, along with his significant marketing and consulting expertise. | |||||
Michael J. Schall | 59 | Mr. Schall has served on the Board since the completion of our IPO in December 2009. Since January 2011, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Essex Property Trust, Inc., or Essex, a publicly traded multifamily REIT. Mr. Schall was Essex's Senior Executive Vice |
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Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
President and Chief Operating Officer from 2005 to January 2011, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and management of Essex's property operations, redevelopment and co-investment programs. Mr. Schall is also currently a member of the Board of Directors of Essex. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Schall was Essex's Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the organization's financial and administrative matters. He joined The Marcus & Millichap Company in 1986, and was the Chief Financial Officer of Essex's predecessor, Essex Property Corporation. From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Schall was Director of Finance for Churchill International, a technology-oriented venture capital company. From 1979 to 1982, Mr. Schall was employed in the audit department of Ernst & Young (then known as Ernst & Whinney), where he specialized in the real estate and financial services industries. Mr. Schall received a B.S. from the University of San Francisco. Mr. Schall is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and is a member of the National Multi Housing Council, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Executive Board of Governors of NAREIT. | |||||
Among other qualifications, Mr. Schall brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including his distinguished career as a senior executive and chief executive of a publicly traded REIT, along with extensive experience in accounting and finance. | |||||
Earl E. Webb | 60 | Mr. Webb has served on the Board since the completion of our IPO in December 2009. Mr. Webb is President of U.S. Operations for Avison Young, LLC, or Avison, a Canada-based commercial real estate company, and he serves on the Executive Committee of Avison's Board of Directors. Prior to joining Avison, from January 2003 to August 2009, Mr. Webb was the Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle's Capital Markets Group in the Americas, where he was responsible for strategic direction and management of all capital markets activities throughout the region. From February 1999 to December 2002, Mr. Webb served as Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., directing all of the firm's Corporate Solutions, Investors Services and Capital Markets businesses throughout the Americas, and from 1985 to February 1999, he held other various positions with that company. From 1981 to 1985, Mr. Webb served as Second Vice President in the Capital Markets Group at Continental Illinois National Bank. Mr. Webb holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is an Associate Member of the Urban Land Institute and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Real Estate Roundtable. | |||
Among other qualifications, Mr. Webb brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including his extensive experience as a senior executive in the real estate and financial services industries, along with his significant capital markets expertise. | |||||
Laura H. Wright | 57 | Ms. Wright has served on the Board since the completion of our IPO in December 2009. Since retiring from Southwest Airlines Co., or Southwest, in September 2012, Ms. Wright founded GSB Advisory LLC, |
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Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
to provide strategic and financial consulting to growth and non-profit companies. From July 2004 to September 2012, Ms. Wright served as Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Southwest. During her 25-year career with Southwest, Ms. Wright served as Vice President Finance and Treasurer (2001 to 2004), Treasurer (1998 to 2001), Assistant Treasurer (1995 to 1998) and other financial roles (1988 to 1995). Prior to joining Southwest, Ms. Wright was a manager with Arthur Young & Company in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Wright received a B.S.A. and an M.S.A. in accountancy from the University of North Texas. Ms. Wright is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and National Association of Corporate Directors. Ms. Wright currently serves on the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee and the Finance Committee of each of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: CMS) and its publicly reporting, wholly owned subsidiary, Consumers Energy Company. Ms. Wright also currently serves on the Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Audit Committee of TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL). | |||||
Among other qualifications, Ms. Wright brings to the Board executive leadership experience, including her significant experience as a senior executive in the travel industry, along with her expertise in financial accounting and reporting for a public company, corporate finance and risk management. In accordance with the rules of the NYSE, the Board of Trustees has determined that Ms. Wright's simultaneous service on the audit committees of the three public companies listed above does not impair her ability to effectively serve also on the Audit Committee of the Company. |
Sound Corporate Governance Practices
We are committed to what we believe are sound corporate governance practices, including having a strong, majority-independent, non-classified Board and maintaining clear share ownership guidelines.
Board of Trustees Structure
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Shareholder Right to Proxy Access
Shareholder Right to Amend Bylaws
Share Ownership Guidelines
Prohibition Against Hedging
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Compensation Clawback Policy
Prohibition on Classification of Board without Shareholder Approval—Opt-out of Classified Board Provision of Maryland's Unsolicited Takeovers Act
The Board of Trustees and Its Committees
The Company is managed under the direction of our seven-member Board of Trustees. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our executive officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees. Six of the trustees are independent of the Company's officers and employees. The Board of Trustees held four meetings during 2016. No trustee attended less than 75% of these meetings. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has three standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees has a written charter, adopted by the Board of Trustees, has four members and is composed exclusively of independent trustees, as defined in the rules and listing qualifications of the NYSE and, with respect to the members of the Audit Committee, Rule 10A-3 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Board of Trustees may from time to time establish other committees to facilitate the management of the Company.
The Board of Trustees does not have a policy with respect to trustees' attendance at annual meetings of shareholders, and, because of the routine nature of the meetings and anticipated low levels of in-person shareholder participation at the meetings, members of the Board of Trustees are not expected to attend the Annual Meeting. None of the trustees attended the Annual Meeting in 2016.
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We describe each of the three committees of the Board of Trustees below. The composition and leadership of its committees is set forth in the following table.
Trustee | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cydney C. Donnell | Chair | ✓ | ||||
Ron E. Jackson | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Phillip M. Miller (Lead Trustee) | ✓ | Chair | ||||
Michael J. Schall | Chair | ✓ | ||||
Earl E. Webb | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Laura H. Wright | ✓ | ✓ |
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and our independent public accountants our annual and quarterly financial statements, engaging independent public accountants, reviewing with the independent public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent public accountants, reviewing the performance and independence of the independent public accountants, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Ms. Donnell, one of our independent trustees, chairs the Audit Committee. The Board of Trustees has determined that each of Ms. Donnell and Ms. Wright is an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined by the SEC. The Board of Trustees has also determined, in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, that Ms. Wright's simultaneous service on the audit committees of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: CMS), Consumers Energy Company (a publicly reporting, wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation) and TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL) does not impair her ability to effectively serve also on the Audit Committee. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. The Audit Committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel for this purpose where appropriate. Additionally, the Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the Company's procedures for compliance with the rules for taxation as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").
The Audit Committee met a total of four times in 2016. The Board of Trustees has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined in Sections 303A.02 and 303A.07 of the listing standards of the NYSE and under the SEC rules for audit committees. The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter which outlines certain specified responsibilities of the Audit Committee and complies with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE. The charter is available on our website at www.pebblebrookhotels.com.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee exercises all powers delegated to it by the Board of Trustees in connection with compensation matters. In connection with those responsibilities, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate compensation consultants employed by it to help evaluate the Company's compensation programs. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Compensation Committee retained Mercer LLC ("Mercer"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., to assist the Compensation Committee with its responsibilities related to the Company's executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee has determined that Mercer meets the criteria for an independent consultant in accordance with SEC guidelines for such services. The Compensation Committee also has authority to grant awards under the Company's 2009
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Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated in 2012 (as amended, the "2009 Equity Incentive Plan"). Mr. Schall chairs the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee met a total of five times in 2016. The Board of Trustees has affirmatively determined that each member of this committee is independent under the NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter which outlines certain specified responsibilities of the Compensation Committee and complies with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE. The charter is available on our website at www.pebblebrookhotels.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for seeking, considering and recommending to the full Board of Trustees qualified candidates for election as trustees and recommending a slate of nominees for election as trustees at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, making recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding candidates to fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees, periodically preparing and submitting to the Board of Trustees for adoption the selection criteria for trustee nominees, reviewing and making recommendations on matters involving general operation of the Board of Trustees and our corporate governance and annually recommending to the Board of Trustees nominees for each committee of the Board of Trustees. In addition, this committee annually facilitates the assessment of the Board of Trustees' performance as a whole and of the individual trustees and officers and reports thereon to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Miller chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, Mr. Miller serves as Lead Trustee. See "—Corporate Governance Matters—Board Management and Leadership—Lead Trustee."
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met a total of four times in 2016 and at a meeting in 2017 recommended to the full Board of Trustees each of the Nominees, as presented herein. The Board of Trustees has affirmatively determined that each member of this committee is independent under the NYSE listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter which outlines certain specified responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and complies with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE. The charter is available on our website at www.pebblebrookhotels.com.
Majority Trustee Independence
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of our trustees be independent. The Board of Trustees has adopted the categorical standards prescribed by the NYSE to assist the Board of Trustees in evaluating the independence of each of the trustees. The categorical standards describe various types of relationships that could potentially exist between a trustee and the Company and sets thresholds at which such relationships would be deemed material. Provided that no relationship or transaction exists that would disqualify a trustee under the categorical standards and the Board of Trustees determines, taking into account all facts and circumstances, that no other material relationship between the Company and the trustee exists of a type not specifically mentioned in the categorical standards, the Board of Trustees will deem such person to be independent. A trustee shall not be independent if he or she satisfies any one or more of the following criteria:
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Under these criteria, the Board of Trustees has determined that the following six members of the Board of Trustees are independent: Cydney C. Donnell, Ron E. Jackson, Phillip M. Miller, Michael J. Schall, Earl E. Webb and Laura H. Wright.
Trustee Compensation
Each trustee who is not an employee of, or affiliated with, the Company receives an annual retainer fee, at least half of which is paid in Common Shares. Each independent trustee may elect whether to receive a greater percentage of the annual retainer fee in Common Shares in lieu of cash. Payment of the annual retainer fee, whether in cash or Common Shares, is made in January following the year in which the trustee served on the Board of Trustees. The number of Common Shares issued is determined by dividing the dollar amount each trustee elects to receive in the form of Common Shares by the average of the closing prices of Common Shares on the NYSE for the ten trading days preceding the date of payment.
Each Chairperson of the Board's standing committees receives an additional fee, which is subject to the same cash or Common Shares election described above. New independent trustees receive a one-time grant of 2,500 restricted Common Shares, which vest ratably over three years subject to the recipient's continued service on the Board of Trustees. Five of the current independent trustees received this one-time grant of 2,500 restricted Common Shares upon completion of our IPO on December 14, 2009, and Mr. Miller received his grant on May 6, 2011, when he joined the Board of Trustees.
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The following table sets forth the compensation paid in 2016 to our independent trustees for their service to us as trustees.
Summary of Non-Executive Trustee 2016 Compensation
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | Share Awards | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cydney C. Donnell | $ | 155,000 | (1) | — | $ | 155,000 | ||||
Ron E. Jackson | $ | 135,000 | (2) | — | $ | 135,000 | ||||
Phillip M. Miller | $ | 145,000 | (3) | — | $ | 145,000 | ||||
Michael J. Schall | $ | 150,000 | (4) | — | $ | 150,000 | ||||
Earl E. Webb | $ | 135,000 | (5) | — | $ | 135,000 | ||||
Laura H. Wright | $ | 135,000 | (6) | — | $ | 135,000 |
For the year ending December 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that the amount of compensation we pay to our independent trustees for their service to us as trustees should remain the same as it was for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Share Ownership Guidelines for Independent Trustees
The Board has established share ownership guidelines for independent trustees of the Company. The Board believes that encouraging each trustee to maintain a meaningful ownership interest in the Company relative to his or her annual fees for service as a trustee is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Pursuant to the guidelines, the Board recommends that each trustee should, within five years of joining the Board, own shares in the Company having an aggregate value equal to or greater than three times the amount of his or her total annual compensation for service on the Board, including any fees for service as a committee chairperson, in effect at the time of their joining the Board. The guidelines further provide that Common Shares, restricted Common Shares subject to time-based vesting, deferred Common Shares, if any, preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Company, $0.01 par value per share ("Preferred Shares"), units of limited partnership interest in the Company's operating partnership designated as LTIP units ("LTIP units") and LTIP units subject to time-based vesting count toward the
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recommended level of share ownership. The guidelines further provide that trustees have five years from the date of any increases in annual compensation to attain the recommended level of share ownership based on the increased compensation. Under the guidelines, shares will be valued at the greater of (i) the average of their closing prices on the NYSE for the ten trading days preceding the date of determination and (ii) the price paid for the shares, or, in the case of share grants, the value or price used to determine the applicable grant. Subsequent declines in the market value of those shares will not change the Board's determination. The Board has determined that all six of our independent trustees own shares in excess of their respective recommended levels of share ownership for independent trustees.
Nomination of Trustees
Before each annual meeting of shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the nomination of all current trustees and also considers new candidates whenever there is a vacancy on the Board of Trustees or whenever a vacancy is anticipated due to a change in the size or composition of the Board of Trustees, a retirement of a trustee or for any other reason. In addition to considering incumbent trustees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies trustee candidates based on recommendations from the trustees, shareholders, management and others. Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may in the future engage the services of third-party search firms to assist in identifying or evaluating trustee candidates, no such firm was engaged in 2016.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually evaluates the effectiveness of the Board of Trustees as a whole and of each individual trustee and identifies any areas in which the Board of Trustees would be better served by adding new members with different skills, backgrounds or areas of experience, and whether the average tenure of our trustees is appropriate for the Company. The Board of Trustees considers trustee candidates, including those nominated by shareholders, based on a number of factors including: whether the candidate will be "independent," as such term is defined by the NYSE listing standards; whether the candidate possesses the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; whether the candidate contributes to the overall diversity of the Board of Trustees; and whether the candidate has an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment. Candidates are also evaluated on their understanding of our business, experience and willingness to devote adequate time to carrying out their duties as trustees of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also monitors the mix of skills, experience, background and length of service on the Board of the trustees to assure that the Board of Trustees has the necessary composition to effectively perform its oversight function.
We do not have a formal policy about diversity of Board membership, but the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does consider a broad range of factors when nominating trustee candidates to the Board of Trustees, including differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill, other personal qualities and attributes, race, gender and national origin. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee neither includes nor excludes any candidate from consideration solely based on the candidate's diversity traits.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider appropriate nominees for trustees whose names are submitted in writing by a shareholder of the Company. Trustee candidates submitted by our shareholders will be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on the same basis as any other trustee candidates. Nominations must be addressed to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100 West, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, Attn: Raymond D. Martz, Secretary, and must describe the nominee's qualifications and other relevant biographical information and provide confirmation of the nominee's consent to serve as a trustee if elected. In order to be considered for the next annual election of trustees, any such written request
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must comply with the requirements set forth in our Bylaws and as set forth below under "Other Matters—Shareholder Proposals."
In addition, shareholders have what is commonly known as the right to "proxy access." A shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning at least 3% of the outstanding Common Shares continuously for at least the prior 3 years may nominate for election to the Board, and include in the Company's proxy materials for its annual meeting of shareholders, nominees representing up to 20% of the number of trustees then serving on the Board (rounding down to the closest whole number). See "Corporate Governance Matters—Shareholder Right to Proxy Access."
Executive Sessions of Our Independent Trustees
As required by the NYSE rules, the independent trustees, or the non-management trustees, of the Board regularly meet in executive session, without members of management present. Generally, these executive sessions follow regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. In 2016, the independent trustees of the Board met in executive session four times. Our Lead Trustee, Mr. Miller, presides over executive sessions of the Board.
We have implemented procedures for interested parties, including shareholders, who wish to communicate directly with our independent trustees. We believe that providing a method for interested parties to communicate directly with our independent trustees, rather than with the full Board of Trustees, provides a more confidential, candid and efficient method of relaying any interested party's concerns or comments. See "—Communication with the Board of Trustees, Lead Trustee, Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee."
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Schall (Chairperson), Ms. Donnell, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Wright. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is or has been one of our employees or officers. None of our executive officers currently serves, or during the past fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of another entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Board of Trustees or the Compensation Committee.
Corporate Governance Matters
Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Matters
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which apply to our officers, trustees and employees when such individuals are acting for or on our behalf, provide in writing that each member of the Board of Trustees will disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the Board and, if appropriate, refrain from voting on a matter in which the trustee may have a conflict of interest. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to our officers, trustees and employees, requires our officers, trustees and employees to report any actual or potential conflict of interest to a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel. Any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our executive officers or trustees may be made only by the Board of Trustees or one of the Board's committees. We anticipate that any waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on our website. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found under "Corporate Governance" in the "Investor Relations" section of our website at www.pebblebrookhotels.com.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for reviewing any transactions in which an executive officer or trustee, any nominee for trustee or any immediate family member of any such person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics expressly prohibits the continuation of any conflict of interest by an employee, officer or trustee except under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. Because the facts and circumstances regarding potential conflicts are difficult to predict, the Board of Trustees has not adopted a written policy for evaluating general conflicts of interests. In the event a conflict of interest arises concerning a matter to be voted on by the Board or any of its committees, the Board of Trustees will review, among other things, the facts and circumstances of the conflict, the Company's applicable corporate governance policies, the effects of any potential waivers of those policies, applicable state law, and NYSE continued listing rules and regulations, and will consider the advice of counsel, before making any decisions regarding the conflict.
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The Board has adopted a policy for evaluating potential conflicts of interest with respect to investments by our trustees and executive officers in hotel properties. This policy provides that our trustees and executive officers may not acquire a controlling interest or a 5% or greater equity interest in any hotel property or hotel development project without first receiving approval from our Chief Executive Officer and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The policy does not apply to investments in publicly traded securities and passive investments in private entities such as limited partnerships or limited liability companies.
Shareholder Right to Proxy Access
We were one of the first lodging REITs to provide our shareholders with a right to submit trustee nominees for inclusion in our proxy statement if both the shareholder proponents and the trustee nominees satisfy the requirements specified in our Bylaws. This right is commonly known as "proxy access."
After extensive conversations with many of our largest investors, several of whom have owned Common Shares since the IPO, we adopted a "3/3/20/20" model for proxy access. A shareholder (or a group of up to 20 shareholders) owning at least 3% of the outstanding Common Shares for at least 3 years may submit trustee nominees (up to 20% of the Board, rounded down) for inclusion in our proxy statement by satisfying the requirements specified in Sections 11 and 12 of Article II of our Bylaws.
Shareholder Right to Amend Bylaws
We provide our shareholders the right to amend our Bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote.
After extensive conversations with many of our largest investors, several of whom have owned Common Shares since the IPO, we adopted a "3/3/20" model for bylaws amendments proposals. A shareholder (or a group of up to 20 shareholders) owning at least 3% of the outstanding Common Shares for at least 3 years may propose amendments to adopt, alter or repeal our Bylaws, or to make new bylaws, for inclusion in our proxy statement by satisfying the requirements specified in Sections 11 and 12 of Article II of our Bylaws.
Trustee Resignation Policy—Policy on Voting Regarding Trustees
The Company has a trustee resignation policy as part of our policy on voting procedures with respect to the election of trustees. Pursuant to the policy, in an uncontested election of trustees, any nominee who receives a greater number of votes withheld from his or her election than votes for his or her election must, within two weeks following certification of the shareholder vote by the Company, submit a written resignation offer to the Board of Trustees for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the resignation offer and, within 60 days following certification by the Company of the shareholder vote at the election, make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees concerning the acceptance or rejection of the resignation offer.
In determining its recommendation to the Board of Trustees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all factors its members deem relevant, which may include:
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider alternatives to acceptance or rejection of the trustee's resignation offer as the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deem appropriate, which may include:
The Board of Trustees will take formal action on the recommendation no later than 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote by the Company. In considering the recommendation, the Board of Trustees will consider the information, factors and alternatives considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and any additional information, factors and alternatives as the Board of Trustees deems relevant. The recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will not be binding on the Board. Any trustee tendering a resignation offer will not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or Board's consideration of whether to accept the resignation offer. We will publicly disclose, in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the decision of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will also provide an explanation of the process by which the decision was made and, if applicable, its reason or reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation.
Board and Management Leadership
Lead Trustee. Mr. Miller serves as Lead Trustee in addition to serving as the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Lead Trustee presides over executive sessions of the independent trustees and meetings of the full Board of Trustees when our Chairman is absent, in each case coordinating the agenda and moderating the discussion. The Lead Trustee may also, as needed, call meetings of the independent trustees and act as principal liaison between the independent trustees and our Chief Executive Officer in discussing issues from the executive sessions and other meetings of the independent trustees.
Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bortz serves as both our Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer. We believe that it is in the best interests of our Company and our shareholders for Mr. Bortz to serve as our Chairman, because of his unique insight into the Company as well as the lodging industry and his excellent reputation among institutional investors. We believe that regular meetings of independent trustees, without management present, and permitting all trustees to add items to the agenda of meetings of the Board and its committees mitigates the risk that having our Chief Executive Officer serve as our Chairman may cause management to have undue influence on the Board of Trustees.
Risk Management
The Board of Trustees takes an active and informed role in the Company's risk management policies and strategies. At least annually, the Company's executive officers, who are responsible for the Company's day-to-day risk management practices, present to the Board of Trustees a comprehensive report on the material risks to the Company, including credit risks, liquidity risks, financial risks and operational risks (including cyber-related risks). At that time, the management team also reviews with the Board of Trustees the Company's risk mitigation policies and strategies specific to each risk that is identified. If necessary, the Board of Trustees may delegate specific risk management tasks to management or a committee of the Board. Throughout the year, management monitors the Company's risk profile and updates the Board of Trustees as new material risks are identified or the aspects of a risk previously presented to the Board materially change. The Audit Committee also actively monitors
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risks to the Company throughout the year, and, with the aid of management, identifies any additional risks that need to be elevated for the consideration of the full Board of Trustees. For a description of our risk management considerations with respect to compensation in particular, see "Executive Officer Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Other Factors Considered by the Compensation Committee—Risk Management Considerations."
Indemnification and Limitation of Trustees' and Officers' Liability
Our declaration of trust authorizes us, and our Bylaws require us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify (i) any present or former trustee or officer or (ii) any individual who, while serving as our trustee or officer and at our request, serves or has served as a trustee, director, officer, partner, member, manager, employee or agent of another real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity or capacities, and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of such a proceeding. We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our trustees and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and advancements by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us.
Maryland law permits a Maryland real estate investment trust to include in its declaration of trust a provision limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the real estate investment trust and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active or deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our declaration of trust contains a provision which limits the liability of our trustees and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Communication with the Board of Trustees, Lead Trustee, Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee
Any party may contact the Board of Trustees, the Lead Trustee or any independent trustee via mail at the following address:
Board of Trustees/Lead Trustee/name of independent trustee
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100 West
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
In addition, the Audit Committee has adopted confidential, anonymous processes for anyone to send communications to the Audit Committee with concerns or complaints concerning the Company's regulatory compliance, accounting, audit or internal controls issues. Any party may contact the Audit Committee via mail at the following address:
Ms. Cydney C. Donnell,
Chairperson, Audit Committee of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
c/o David C. Wright
Hunton & Williams LLP
Riverfront Plaza, East Tower
951 East Byrd Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
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Biographical Information Regarding Executive Officers Who Are Not Trustees
Name | Age | Background Information | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raymond D. Martz | 46 | Mr. Martz serves as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Martz served as Chief Financial Officer for Phillips Edison & Company, one of the largest private owners of community shopping centers in the U.S., from August 2007 until November 2009. Prior to joining Phillips Edison, Mr. Martz served as the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust, Inc., a NYSE-listed hotel REIT, from May 2005 until August 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Martz was employed by LaSalle Hotel Properties in a variety of finance functions from 1997 to 2005, including serving as its Treasurer from 2004 to 2005, Vice President of Finance from 2001 to 2004 and Director of Finance from 1998 to 2001. Prior to joining LaSalle Hotel Properties, Mr. Martz was an associate with Tishman Hotel Corporation from 1995 through 1997, focusing on a variety of areas including asset management and development. From 1994 to 1995, he served in several hotel operations roles at Orient Hotel Group, a private owner and operator of hotels. Mr. Martz is the co-chairperson of the Financial Management Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is a founding member of the Hotel LEED Group of the U.S. Green Building Council. Mr. Martz received a B.S. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in 1993 and an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 2002. | |||
Thomas C. Fisher | 46 | Mr. Fisher serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fisher served as Managing Director—Americas for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, one of the world's leading hotel investment services firms. Mr. Fisher joined Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in 1996 and served in a variety of roles, including his most recent position as Managing Director, leading the national full-service investment sales platform. Prior to joining Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Mr. Fisher was an Associate with The Harlan Company from 1994 to early 1996, an investment banking boutique in New York City where he focused on commercial real estate investment services including investment sales, capital raises and tenant representation. Prior to joining The Harlan Company, Mr. Fisher was a Real Estate Analyst in the corporate office of the Prudential Realty Group, where he worked on general account investments covering multiple property types including hotel, office and retail. Mr. Fisher received a B.S. with Distinction from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in 1993. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Leadership Committee of the Urban Land Institute's Hotel Development Council. |
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PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Company has selected the accounting firm of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") to serve as the independent registered public accountants of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2017, and the Board of Trustees is asking shareholders to ratify this appointment. Although current laws, rules and regulations, as well as the Audit Committee charter, require the Company's independent auditor to be engaged, retained and supervised by the Audit Committee, the Board of Trustees considers the appointment of the independent auditor to be an important matter for shareholders and is submitting the appointment of KPMG for ratification by shareholders as a matter of good corporate practice. KPMG has served as the Company's independent registered public accountants since the Company's formation in October 2009 and is considered by management of the Company to be well qualified.
Fee Disclosure
The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by KPMG for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
| Year Ended December 31, 2016 | Year Ended December 31, 2015 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audit Fees | $ | 829,000 | $ | 797,000 | |||
Audit-Related Fees | — | — | |||||
Tax Fees | 363,661 | 348,140 | |||||
All Other Fees | — | — | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total | $ | 1,192,661 | $ | 1,145,140 |
Audit Fees
"Audit Fees" consist of fees and expenses billed for professional services rendered to audit financial statements, assess effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, review interim consolidated financial statements, review registration statements and prepare comfort letters, services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees
"Audit-Related Fees" consist of fees and expenses for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements that are not "Audit Fees."
Tax Fees
"Tax Fees" consist of fees and related expenses billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal and state tax compliance and tax planning and structuring.
All Other Fees
"All Other Fees" consist of fees and expenses for products and services that are not "Audit Fees," "Audit-Related Fees" or "Tax Fees."
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Pre-Approval Policy
All audit, tax and other services provided to us are reviewed and pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee concluded that the provision of such services by KPMG was compatible with the maintenance of that firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. All of the fees paid to KPMG that are described above were approved by the Board.
We expect that a representative of KPMG will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee has considered whether, and has determined that, the provision by KPMG of the services described under "Audit-Related Fees," "Tax Fees" and "Other Fees" is compatible with maintaining KPMG's independence from management and the Company.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
The Audit Committee oversees the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the Audit Committee charter. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and discussed with management the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviewed and discussed with management the Company's year-end earnings release.
The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered public accountants, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company's audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accountants the auditors' independence and the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), and discussed and received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accountants required by the PCAOB regarding the independent auditors' communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Company's independent registered public accountants the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee met four times in 2016 with the independent registered public accountants, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal controls and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting. The Audit Committee held meetings with management prior to the filing of each of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q with the SEC and the release to the public of the Company's quarterly earnings, and reviewed and discussed with management the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its quarterly earnings releases.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC.
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The Audit Committee is also responsible for monitoring the Company's procedures for compliance with the rules for taxation as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Code.
The members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting. Members of the Audit Committee rely, without independent verification, on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent registered public accountants. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee's considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Company's financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that KPMG LLP is in fact "independent."
The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter that outlines certain specified responsibilities of the Audit Committee and complies with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE.
Each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the NYSE listing standards and each member is financially literate. The Board of Trustees has identified each of Ms. Donnell and Ms. Wright as an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of the SEC rules.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees
Cydney C. Donnell (Chairperson)
Phillip M. Miller
Earl E. Webb
Laura H. Wright
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PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY AND NON-BINDING VOTE,
OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' COMPENSATION
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and as previously reported, the Board has determined that we will hold annually a non-binding, advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers.
Accordingly, we are asking our shareholders to approve, in an advisory and non-binding vote, the following resolution in respect of this Proposal 3:
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve, in an advisory and non-binding vote, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders."
This vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of the Company's shareholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider that vote and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
The Compensation Committee has developed and maintained a compensation program that is intended to reward performance and encourage actions that drive success in our business objectives. As described in more detail under "Executive Officer Compensation," the Company's primary objective is to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted long-term total returns to shareholders through appreciation in the value of Common Shares and by providing income to shareholders through distributions from distributable cash flow. The Company's compensation philosophy and structure for our senior executives is designed to achieve these objectives.
The following is a summary of the Company's compensation philosophy's components and the rationale for those components.
Compensation should reinforce business objectives and Company values. The Company strives to provide a rewarding and professionally challenging work environment for its executive officers. The Company believes that executive officers who are motivated and challenged by their duties are more likely to achieve the individual and corporate performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee. The Company's executive compensation package should reflect this work environment and performance expectations.
Executive officers should be retained and motivated. The primary purpose of the Company's executive compensation program is to achieve the Company's business objectives by attracting, retaining and motivating talented executive officers by providing them financial incentives and economic security.
A significant percentage of compensation for executive officers should be based on performance. Performance-based pay aligns the interests of management with those of the Company's shareholders by motivating and rewarding individual efforts and Company success. We provide performance-based pay in the form of equity awards that may vest based on actual results of certain metrics at the end of multi-year measurement periods and cash bonus arrangements that may pay out based on actual results of certain metrics after a one-year measurement period. For 2016, approximately 53% to 60% of the executive officers'target total compensation was linked to achievement of the Company's objectives and performance. In terms ofactual total compensation for 2016, approximately 56% to 64% was linked to achievement of the Company's objectives and performance. For 2017, approximately 54% to 61% of the executive officers' target total compensation is at risk based on both absolute and relative performance over one- and three-year measurement periods.
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Compensation should align interests of executive officers with those of shareholders. The Company seeks to align these interests by providing that a significant portion of executive officers' compensation takes the form of Common Shares and LTIP units. Through share ownership guidelines for executive officers, grants of restricted Common Shares and LTIP units that vest over a period of years and grants of performance-based equity awards, the value of the executive officers' total compensation should increase as total returns to shareholders increase. Moreover, the Company's executive compensation is designed to reward favorable total shareholder returns, both in an absolute amount and relative to peers of the Company, taking into consideration the Company's competitive position within the real estate industry and each executive's long-term career contributions to the Company.
Compensation should be competitive. To attract and reduce the risk of losing the services of valuable executive officers but avoid the expense of excessive pay, compensation should be competitive. The Compensation Committee assesses the competitiveness of the Company's compensation to its executive officers by comparison to compensation of executive officers at certain other public companies.
For 2016, executive compensation consisted of three main components: (i) annual cash base salaries; (ii) annual cash incentive bonuses based on performance against the one-year management business objectives established at the beginning of the year; and (iii) two forms of long-term equity-based compensation—40% as restricted share awards subject to time-based vesting provisions over a three-year period and 60% as performance-based equity awards subject to performance-based vesting provisions over a three-year performance period. We discuss each of these three components in more detail under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
In determining the actual cash incentive bonuses for our named executive officers, and as described further in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the Compensation Committee reviewed progress made against planned annual performance objectives established at the beginning of 2016. The Compensation Committee noted the following particular areas of achievement against those objectives when approving the bonuses for our named executive officers in early 2017:
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equity interest in our New York joint venture, which resulted in our taking ownership of two of the joint venture's hotel properties. Following that redemption, we sold the Manhattan NYC and thereby reduced our New York exposure to one property, Dumont NYC.
We believe that the Compensation Committee has developed a compensation program for our named executive officers that motivates outstanding performance and rewards behavior that aligns management's interest with those of shareholders.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3.
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PROPOSAL 4: NON-BINDING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL FROM THE UNION TO ADOPT A MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD FOR UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS OF TRUSTEES
Set forth in the italicized text below is a shareholder proposal (the "Union Proposal") and supporting statement that we received from UNITE HERE! (the "Union"), 275 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001. The Union is the largest union representing hotel workers in the United States.
The Union represents hotel workers who are employees of operators at some of our hotels. The Union has advised us that it is the beneficial owner of 150 Common Shares, which constitute approximately 0.0002% of the outstanding Common Shares.
The italicized text below contains the Union Proposal and supporting statement as submitted to us by the Union. The Union bears sole responsibility for the contents of the Union Proposal and supporting statement. If the Union Proposal is properly brought before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, the Union Proposal will be voted upon.
The affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast on the Union Proposal at the Annual Meeting is necessary for approval of the proposal. If approved, the Union Proposal would be a non-binding recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE "FOR" THE UNION PROPOSAL.
Shareholder Proposal
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (the "Company") recommend that the Board of Directors ("the Board") take all steps necessary to require director nominees to be elected by an affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast for uncontested director elections, that is, when the number of director nominees is the same as the number of board seats, with a plurality vote standard retained for contested director elections, that is, when the number of director nominees exceeds the number of board seats.
Supporting Statement
We believe that the accountability of the board of directors to its shareholders is integral to the success of our Company. The election of directors is a fundamental right of shareholders. However, when directors are elected using a plurality vote standard, as is used by our Company, director elections are less meaningful.
Under the plurality vote standard, a nominee for the board can be elected with as little as a single vote, even if a substantial majority of the votes cast are "withheld" from the nominee. For this reason, we believe that plurality voting should only be used in contested director elections. We recommend that our Company change its director election vote standard to a majority vote standard, under which a director must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected. Furthermore, we recommend that the Board adopt a director resignation policy providing for the replacement of directors who do not receive the required vote for election.
The majority vote standard for director elections is fast becoming the norm at listed companies. Eighty-eight percent of S&P 500 companies have adopted a majority vote standard. The Council of Institutional Investors has launched a campaign urging Russell 3000 boards to do likewise. A majority of listed lodging REITs currently use a majority vote standard for uncontested director elections. In 2016, Ernst and Young reported that shareholder proposals to adopt a majority vote standard for director elections received the support of 69% of votes cast, on average.
Directors of Pebblebrook, a lodging REIT formed near the beginning of the current lodging cycle, have enjoyed high levels of shareholder support. Industry fundamentals, however, reflect the maturing of the
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current cycle; Wells Fargo analysts report that supply growth is expected reach 3% in major markets in 2017, outstripping expected GDP growth (predictive of demand). Growth in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) has been decelerating since late 2014 after several consecutive years of increase. Adopting a majority vote standard for director elections as the lodging cycle matures sends a signal to shareholders that board members will be accountable to shareholders at times when the lodging industry begins to face greater challenges.
We urge shareholders to recommend Pebblebrook join the majority of its peer listed lodging REITs and adopt a majority vote standard for uncontested director elections.
Our Statement in Support of the Union Proposal
The Union Proposal is the third shareholder proposal submitted to the Company by the Union. At our 2015 annual meeting, the Union proposed that we opt out of all of the provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law commonly known as the Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act. The Board recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, and the proposal was overwhelmingly defeated by a shareholder vote of 41.9 million (62.9%) "against" and only 24.7 million (37.1%) "for." At our 2016 annual meeting, the Union proposed that we amend the Bylaws to permit shareholders to amend the Bylaws. In June 2016, a member of the Union filed a lawsuit against the Company, providing another example demonstrating that the Union's economic interests are not aligned with those of the Company and its other shareholders. The Board recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, and that proposal, too, was overwhelmingly defeated by a shareholder vote of 46.7 million (69.9%) "against" and only 20.1 million "for." In both cases, the Board determined that the proposals were not in the best interests of the Company.
In contrast to the Board's determination regarding the Union's prior two proposals, the Board has determined that the proposal as submitted by the Union this year is good corporate governance and is in the best interests of the Company. The Board carefully considers proposals from every shareholder, regardless of the possible motives that a shareholder proponent may have.
After careful consideration and discussion with several of our larger shareholders, the Board is recommending that shareholders vote in favor of the Union Proposal.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE UNION PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL 5: ADVISORY AND NON-BINDING VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF
VOTE REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the related rules of the SEC), we are including in this Proxy Statement a separate resolution to request that our shareholders recommend, in an advisory and non-binding vote, whether a non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (that is, a vote similar to the advisory and non-binding vote in Proposal 3 set forth beginning on page 28 of this Proxy Statement) should occur every one, two or three years.
Accordingly, you may cast your advisory and non-binding vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting when you vote in response to the following resolution:
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the voting choice of once every year, once every two years, or once every three years that receives the highest number of votes cast in connection with this resolution will be considered to be the frequency preferred by shareholders on an advisory basis for the Company to hold a non-binding vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers."
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives a majority of all the votes cast will be the frequency for the advisory and non-binding vote regarding executive compensation that has been selected by shareholders. In the event that no option receives a majority of the votes cast, we will consider the option that receives the most votes to be the option selected by shareholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board or the Company in any way, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of the Company to hold an advisory and non-binding vote regarding executive compensation more or less frequently than the frequency selected by shareholders.
In considering their vote, shareholders may wish to carefully review the information presented in connection with Proposal 3 beginning on page 28 of this Proxy Statement and the information regarding our compensation policies and decisions regarding our named executive officers presented in this Proxy Statement.
We believe a one-year voting frequency is consistent with both our approach to good corporate governance and our approach to offering a compensation program that has both short- and long-term compensation components.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "1 YEAR" FOR PROPOSAL 5.
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The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement ("CD&A") with management of the Company. Based on the Compensation Committee's review of the CD&A and the Compensation Committee's discussions of the CD&A with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees (and the Board of Trustees has approved) that the CD&A be included in the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A prepared in connection with the Annual Meeting.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees
Michael J. Schall (Chairperson)
Cydney C. Donnell
Ron E. Jackson
Laura H. Wright
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview
The Company's primary objective is to deliver attractive long-term total returns to shareholders through appreciation in the value of Common Shares and by providing income to shareholders through distributions from distributable cash flow. To do so, the Company seeks to enhance the return from, and the value of, the hotels in which it invests. We have established a compensation philosophy and structure for our three named executive officers that are designed to achieve these objectives. Our named executive officers are: Jon E. Bortz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Raymond D. Martz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary; and Thomas C. Fisher, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer.
The Company was formed in October 2009, completed its IPO in December 2009 and, as of December 31, 2016, owned 29 hotel properties. As the Company has matured, we have modified our executive compensation accordingly, to continue to provide appropriate incentives to management and alignment with shareholders' interests. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Compensation Committee retained Mercer, an independent compensation consulting firm, to assist the Compensation Committee with its responsibilities related to the Company's executive officer compensation program. The Compensation Committee has determined that Mercer meets the criteria for an independent consultant in accordance with SEC guidelines for such services. The Compensation Committee did not retain an independent compensation consulting firm in 2015, 2016 or 2017, having determined that the Company and the compensation program had sufficiently matured not to require a consultant's services for those years.
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The following table summarizes the primary components and rationale of our compensation philosophy and the pay elements that support that philosophy.
Philosophy Component | Rationale/Commentary | Pay Element | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Compensation should reinforce business objectives and Company values | The Company strives to provide a rewarding and professionally challenging work environment for its executive officers. The Company believes that executive officers who are motivated and challenged by their duties are more likely to achieve the corporate performance goals and objectives designed by the Compensation Committee. The Company's executive compensation package should reflect this work environment and performance expectations. | All elements (salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, equity incentive compensation, health and welfare benefits, change in control severance agreements) | ||
Our executive officers should be retained and motivated | The primary purpose of the Company's executive compensation program is to achieve the Company's business objectives by attracting, retaining and motivating talented executive officers by providing them financial incentives and economic security. | All elements (salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, equity incentive compensation, health and welfare benefits, change in control severance agreements) | ||
A significant percentage of compensation for executive officers should be based on performance | Performance-based pay aligns the interests of management with those of the Company's shareholders by motivating and rewarding individual efforts and Company success. We provide performance-based pay in the form of equity awards that may vest based on actual results of certain metrics at the end of multi-year measurement periods and cash bonus arrangements that may pay out based on actual results of certain metrics after a one-year measurement period. Generally, the performance-based percentage of compensation increases as performance improves and decreases as performance declines. If the Company fails to achieve its corporate objectives, has poor relative performance and/or poor total shareholder returns, the executive officers will receive reduced incentive compensation, reduced total compensation and lower value creation through ownership of Common Shares or LTIP units. The executive officers have an opportunity, in the event of superior achievement of corporate objectives, relative performance or outstanding total shareholder returns, to earn larger overall compensation packages and increased value creation through ownership of Common Shares or LTIP units. For 2016, target performance-based compensation (target cash incentive bonus | Merit salary increases, annual cash incentive bonuses and equity incentive compensation (performance-based equity grants) |
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Philosophy Component | Rationale/Commentary | Pay Element | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
plus target performance-based equity) comprised between 53% and 60% of the target total compensation for the Company's named executive officers. In terms of actual total compensation for 2016, approximately 56% to 64% was linked to achievement of the Company's objectives and performance. For 2017, a significant portion of the executives' target compensation is also at risk based on both absolute and relative performance over one- and three-year measurement periods: target cash incentive bonus plus target performance-based equity comprises between 54% and 61% of the target total compensation for the Company's named executive officers. |
| |||
Compensation should align interests of executive officers with those of shareholders | The Company seeks to align the interests of its executive officers with those of the Company's shareholders by providing that a significant portion of executive officers' compensation take the form of Common Shares. In addition, the Company seeks to align these interests by awarding performance-based equity and annual cash incentive bonuses that may be earned based on performance measures that are designed to drive results that are good for the Company and, consequently, our shareholders. Through share ownership guidelines for executive officers, grants of restricted Common Shares and LTIP units that vest over a period of years and performance-based equity awards that vest, if ever, in the form of Common Shares, the value of the executive officers' total compensation should increase as total returns to shareholders increase. The Company expects the value of these elements as a percentage of each executive officer's annual base salary to motivate executive officers to continually improve performance of the Company and create value for the Company over the long-term. The Company's executive compensation is designed to reward favorable total shareholder returns, both in an absolute amount and relative to peers of the Company, taking into consideration the Company's competitive position within the industry and each executive's long-term career contributions to the Company. | Equity incentive compensation (time- and performance-based equity grants) and annual cash incentive bonuses |
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Philosophy Component | Rationale/Commentary | Pay Element | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Compensation should be competitive | To attract and reduce the risk of losing the services of valuable executive officers but avoid the expense of excessive pay, compensation should be competitive. The Compensation Committee assesses the competitiveness of the Company's compensation to its executive officers by comparison to compensation of executive officers at similar public companies. | All elements (salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, equity incentive compensation, health and welfare benefits, severance agreements) |
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee determines compensation for Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher, our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Schall (Chairperson), Ms. Donnell, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Wright, four of the Board's independent trustees. The Compensation Committee exercises independent discretion in respect of executive compensation matters, including the retention or termination of any compensation consultant. Although the Compensation Committee may not delegate its primary responsibility of overseeing executive officer compensation, it may delegate to management the administrative aspects of our compensation plans that do not involve the setting of compensation levels for our named executive officers. As part of the executive compensation determination process, the Compensation Committee seeks input from the trustees who are not on the Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer, whose recommendations are evaluated along with all other compensation data gathered by the Compensation Committee.
Within the first two months of each year, a list of management business objectives ("MBOs") for the named executive officers is prepared for that year and each named executive officer's actual annual cash incentive bonus (discussed below) is later determined based on performance against the MBOs. MBOs may vary from year to year and may consist of matters such as achievement of specified financial performance at individual hotels or the portfolio overall; success in the pursuit of new hotel investments or hotel divestments; achievement of particular business operating goals, such as asset management initiatives, renovations or repositioning of hotels; development and maintenance of compliance programs; and development of strategic plans. MBOs focus, in part, on enhancing the return from, and value of, the Company's hotels. Each year's proposed MBOs are reviewed by the Compensation Committee, which may modify the proposed MBOs. The final MBOs are approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Trustees. On a quarterly basis, the executive officers provide the Compensation Committee and the Board of Trustees status reports on the progress toward achieving the MBOs.
In February 2016, the Company prepared a report for the Compensation Committee to assess the competitiveness of the Company's compensation levels for the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Investment Officer. The report consisted of information and an analysis of the compensation programs of a peer group of 11 publicly traded REITs, comparing the Company's compensation of the named executive officers to that of officers at comparable levels of those companies. The 11 REITs whose information was included in the report were lodging REITs (Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., Chesapeake Lodging Trust, DiamondRock Hospitality Company, FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated, Hersha Hospitality Trust, LaSalle Hotel Properties, RLJ Lodging Trust, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. and Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.) and non-lodging REITs (EPR Properties and Washington Prime Group Inc. (formerly WP Glimcher Inc.)).
Taking this information and analysis into consideration, in February 2016, the Compensation Committee and the Board determined the compensation program for fiscal year 2016 for the named executive officers. In determining the program, the Compensation Committee and the Board also
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considered the experience of the named executive officers, the executives' and the Company's previous results and the Company's goals for 2016 and beyond. Company objectives for 2016 were reviewed by the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and were then discussed, finalized and approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board. The MBOs for 2016 included: the Company's achievement of relative growth in hotel-level EBITDA measured against the average growth in the same measure of a group of six peer lodging REITs; achievement of relative growth in Adjusted FFO per Common Share measured against the average growth in the same measure of the same peer group; and achievement of particular business goals, such as certain capital re-investment programs, asset management initiatives, acquisition goals, financing/refinancing goals and internal controls and compliance. The objectives were structured to focus the executives, in part, on enhancing the return from, and value of, the Company's hotels. The six peer lodging REITs are Chesapeake Lodging Trust, DiamondRock Hospitality Company, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., LaSalle Hotel Properties, Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. and Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc., and we refer to them collectively as the "Peer Group."
The compensation program for fiscal year 2017 for the named executive officers was determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board in February 2017. The Compensation Committee reviewed a February 2017 comparison of the Company's compensation of the named executive officers to that of officers at comparable levels of the Peer Group companies. The Compensation Committee considered the comparison and also took into consideration the experience of the named executive officers, the executives' and the Company's previous results and the Company's goals for 2017 and beyond. Company objectives for 2017 were reviewed by the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and were then discussed, finalized and approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board. The MBOs for 2017 include: the Company's achievement of relative growth in hotel-level EBITDA measured against the average growth in the same measure of a group of six peer lodging REITs; achievement of growth in Adjusted FFO per Common Share measured against the same measure per share provided in the Company's budget; achievement of growth in the Company's RevPAR penetration index compared to the competitive sets for the Company's portfolio; identification of annualized hotel-level EBITDA improvements; and achievement of particular business goals, such as asset management initiatives, acquisition/disposition goals, financing/refinancing goals and internal controls and compliance. The objectives were structured to focus the executives, in part, on enhancing the return from, and value of, the Company's hotels.
Shareholder Advisory Votes Regarding Executive Compensation. The Compensation Committee also considers the results of the Company's most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation when evaluating the Company's compensation program and considering changes to the program. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Company's shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers: approximately 96% of the votes cast were in favor of the program. In light of these results, the Compensation Committee decided to continue to include in the 2017 executive compensation program all of the features of the compensation program previously approved by the Company's shareholders. The Board previously determined that future shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation will be submitted to shareholders of the Company annually until the next required advisory vote on the frequency of conducting advisory votes on executive compensation. This year, with Proposal 5, we are again asking shareholders to recommend, in an advisory and non-binding vote, whether a non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years.
Components and Criteria of Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee and the Board have determined that executive compensation should consist of: (i) annual cash base salaries; (ii) cash incentive bonuses based on performance against the one-year management business objectives established at the beginning of the year; and (iii) two forms
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of long-term equity-based compensation—40% as restricted share awards subject to time-based vesting provisions over a three-year period and 60% as performance-based equity awards subject to performance-based vesting provisions over a three-year performance period. The Compensation Committee and the Board have structured the current program so that a significant portion of each named executive officer's overall compensation: (i) is earned and paid over a period of more than one year; (ii) depends on the Company's performance relative to that of peer lodging and similarly sized REITs; (iii) is, at target levels of compensation, measured against total target compensation paid by peer lodging REITs; and (iv) depends on the Company's total absolute and relative shareholder returns and other absolute and relative performance measurements. In this compensation framework, if the Company has poor relative performance and/or poor total shareholder returns, the named executive officers could receive incentive compensation below established target amounts (potentially as low as zero) and lower total compensation. In return, the named executive officers should have an opportunity, in the event of superior relative performance and superior total shareholder returns, to earn overall compensation packages significantly greater than established target amounts.
In February 2016, the Compensation Committee and the Board determined that executive compensation for fiscal year 2016 would consist of the same components as in 2015: (i) annual cash base salaries; (ii) annual cash incentive bonuses based on performance against the MBOs established at the beginning of the year; and (iii) two forms of long-term equity-based compensation—40% as restricted share awards subject to time-based vesting provisions over a three-year period and 60% as performance-based equity awards subject to performance-based vesting provisions over a three-year performance period. Pursuant to the performance-based vesting provisions, the performance-based equity awards will vest after January 1, 2019 only if certain performance objectives are achieved. The following table shows each of the three components of target total compensation as a percentage of target total compensation for 2016 as determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board in February 2016.
| Components of 2016 Target Compensation(1) as a Percentage of Total 2016 Target Compensation | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Target Cash Incentive Bonus | Target Equity-based Compensation(2) | |||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 21 | % | 31 | % | 48 | % | ||||
Chief Financial Officer | 28 | % | 25 | % | 47 | % | ||||
Chief Investment Officer | 28 | % | 25 | % | 47 | % |
For fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee and the Board determined that executive compensation would consist of the same components that comprised the 2016 compensation program as described above. Pursuant to the performance-based vesting provisions, the performance-based equity awards will vest after January 1, 2020, only if certain performance objectives are achieved. The following table shows each of the three components of target total compensation as a percentage of
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target total compensation for 2017 as determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board in February 2017.
| Components of 2017 Target Compensation as a Percentage of Total 2017 Target Compensation | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Target Cash Incentive Bonus | Target Equity-based Compensation(1) | |||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 20 | % | 32 | % | 48 | % | ||||
Chief Financial Officer | 27 | % | 26 | % | 47 | % | ||||
Chief Investment Officer | 27 | % | 26 | % | 47 | % |
The following narrative discusses the components of fiscal year 2016 and 2017 compensation.
Base Salary
Base salary is the only predictable form of annual cash compensation to our named executive officers and for that reason the Compensation Committee believes base salary is an important element of total compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that base salary should be commensurate with each named executive officer's position and experience, responsibility and accountability, subject to annual adjustments based on market conditions, peer group compensation, size and scope of the Company's operations and individual contributions and performance.
For 2016 and 2017, the base salary of each of our named executive officers was based on the following qualitative and quantitative factors:
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the individual responsibilities and leadership attributes of each named executive officer. The Compensation Committee's review includes its evaluation of each named executive officer's role and contributions to the Company during the last year. Among other matters, the Compensation Committee considers the performance of employees managed by the named executive officers, the asset management strategies proposed or implemented by the named executive officer to improve hotel property performance, the status of the Company's hotel property acquisition and disposition activities, the Company's execution on short- and long-term strategic initiatives for which the named executive officer is responsible and the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations to the extent within the named executive officer's responsibility.
In addition, the Compensation Committee measures a named executive officer's performance by his contributions with respect to the Company's MBOs, which, as described above, are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board each year. Quarterly progress reports with respect to the MBOs provide the Compensation Committee with a regular update on the performance of the named executive officers. As noted elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, MBOs are primarily used
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to determine the annual cash incentive bonus, but MBOs can also influence the Compensation Committee's determination of base salaries.
The Compensation Committee's review of a named executive officer's role and contribution to the Company includes the observations of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the performance of the other named executive officers, especially as to day-to-day responsibilities and intra-company leadership qualities and growth.
With respect to each named executive officer's expertise and experience within the industry, the Compensation Committee considers involvement in industry or trade groups such as NAREIT and reputation in the institutional investor community, as well as awards or other recognition by industry or trade groups or other industry participants.
The 2016 annual base salaries for the named executive officers are provided in the Summary Compensation Table located elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. For 2017, after considering an analysis regarding the compensation levels of executive officers of the Peer Group companies, the Compensation Committee and the Board decided not to increase the annual base salary of any of the named executive officers, having determined, among other things, that the current amounts are in line with those of the Company's peers and sufficient as part of the target compensation to retain and motivate each executive officer. As a result, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved annual base salaries for 2017 for Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher of $750,000, $450,000 and $450,000, respectively.
Annual Cash Incentive Bonus
The Compensation Committee emphasizes the importance of incentive cash compensation (the annual cash incentive bonus program) as a component of total compensation for the named executive officers. The Company believes this component of the Company's compensation program is an investment in high-quality, successful employees who can improve the operational performance of the Company's hotels and generate new business and transaction opportunities that create value for shareholders.
The annual cash incentive bonus program is intended to compensate our named executive officers for achieving our annual goals at both the corporate and hotel property levels, as well as for implementing long-term plans and strategies. However, we do not guarantee any bonuses and actual amounts paid may range from 0% to 200% of the target amounts. In 2016, the target annual cash incentive bonuses were established based on MBOs described below as the 2016 Annual Objectives. The actual cash incentive bonus for 2016 was paid in the first quarter of 2017, after audited financial statements for 2016 for the Company and the data required to calculate performance against all of the MBOs became available, and when the Compensation Committee, after consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, determined the percentage above, at or below the target cash incentive bonuses the named executive officers should receive based upon the Company's achievement of the approved MBOs.
For each executive, the 2016 target cash incentive bonus was contingent on the Company meeting the target levels of certain MBOs established by the Board ("2016 Annual Objectives"), which were set in February 2016 and were designed to align the incentives of the Company's employees and management with the interests of the Company's shareholders. The actual amount of cash bonus that was paid in 2017 for performance in 2016 depended on the Company's performance against the 2016 Annual Objectives and could have been as little as 0% and as much as 200% of the target cash incentive bonus. The Company does not guarantee any bonus.
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The 2016 Annual Objectives had three primary components:
The level of performance against each of the 2016 Annual Objectives was measured relative to a target and was subject to a maximum and minimum, each of which varied by objective, as shown in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Annual Objective | Minimum(1) % of Target Bonus | Decrease Increment | Target Performance and % of Target Bonus | Increase Increment | Maximum % of Target Bonus | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 EBITDA Growth | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | For every 100 basis points ("bps") below target | EBITDA Growth = Peer-Group Average | For every 100 bps above target | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 700 bps less | 35% | 700 bps more | 87.5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Adjusted FFO Growth | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | For every 100 bps below target | Adjusted FFO Growth = Peer Group Average | For every 100 bps above target | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 700 bps less | 35% | 700 bps more | 87.5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Operating | Performance (Five-point scale—assessed by Board) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 15% | 30% | 45% | 60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate (as a percent of Target Bonus) | 0% | 100% | 200% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regardless of the Company's actual performance against one or more of the components of the 2016 Annual Objectives, no executive officer would have received more than a maximum of 200% of his target cash incentive bonus for an annual cash bonus incentive award. In addition, each component had a maximum cap on the percentage of the target cash incentive bonus that the executive officers
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could have earned: 87.5%, 87.5% and 60% in the case of the 2016 EBITDA Growth Objective, the 2016 Adjusted FFO Growth Objective and the 2016 Operating Objective, respectively.
For 2016, the Company's actual performance against each of the 2016 Annual Objectives was as follows:
2016 Annual Objective | Actual Performance | % of Target Bonus Achieved | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 EBITDA Growth | 220 bps above target | 50.3% | ||
2016 Adjusted FFO Growth | 850 bps above target | 87.5% | ||
2016 Operating | 2.9 out of 5 | 28.8% | ||
| | | | |
Total | 166.5% (reduced to 150% by the Compensation Committee) |
The Compensation Committee noted the following particular areas of achievement against the 2016 Annual Objectives when approving the actual cash incentive bonuses for our named executive officers in early 2017:
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Although the Company significantly exceeded the target level of performance of the 2016 Annual Objectives—including greatly exceeding the cap on the 2016 Adjusted FFO Growth Objective—the named executive officers recommended that the Compensation Committee reduce the payout percentage from the calculated 166.5% to a lower amount. The named executive officers made this recommendation in light of the performance of the Company's total shareholder return in 2016. Taking into account both this recommendation and the actual results for each of the 2016 Annual Objectives, the Compensation Committee determined, in its sole discretion, that it would reduce the payout percentage to 150.0% of the target cash incentive bonuses for 2016. As a result, Mr. Bortz received $1,687,500 and Messrs. Martz and Fisher each received $600,000.
For 2017, the target cash incentive bonus for Mr. Bortz is $1,203,750 (which is 161% of his annual base salary, or approximately 32% of target total compensation, which includes the grant of time-based restricted Common Shares and performance-based equity awards discussed below). The target cash incentive bonus for each of Messrs. Martz and Fisher is $428,000 (which is 95% of his annual base salary, or approximately 26% of target total compensation, which includes the grant of time-based restricted Common Shares and performance-based equity awards discussed below).
For each executive, the target cash incentive bonus is contingent on the Company meeting the target levels of certain MBOs established by the Board ("2017 Annual Objectives"), which were set in February 2017 and are designed to align the incentives of the Company's employees and management with the interests of the Company's shareholders. The actual amount of cash bonus that will be paid in 2018 for performance in 2017 will depend on the Company's performance against the 2017 Annual Objectives and could be as little as 0% and as much as 200% of the target cash incentive bonus. The Company does not guarantee any bonus.
There are five 2017 Annual Objectives:
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The level of performance against each of the 2017 Annual Objectives will be measured relative to its target and will be subject to a maximum and minimum, each of which varies by objective, as shown in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Annual Objectives | Minimum(1) % of Target Bonus | Decrease Increment | Target Performance and % of Target Bonus | Increase Increment | Maximum % of Target Bonus | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 EBITDA Growth | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | For every 100 bps below | EBITDA Growth = Peer-Group Average | For every 100 bps above target | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 700 bps less | 30% | 700 bps more | 90% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Adjusted FFO per Share | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | For every $0.0125 below target | Adjusted FFO = Budgeted Amount | For every $0.0125 above target | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 100 bps less | 20% | 100 bps more | 60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 RevPAR Penetration | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | For every 15 bps below target | 150 bps increase in RevPAR Penetration | For every 15 bps above target | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 200 bps less | 20% | 200 bps more | 60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Asset Management | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | £ $0.5M identified | $1.5M identified | ³ $2.0M identified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 10% | 20% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Operating | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate (as percent of Target Bonus) | 0% | 100% | 200% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regardless of the Company's actual performance against one or more of the 2017 Annual Objectives, no executive officer will be entitled to receive more than a maximum of 200% of his target cash incentive bonus for an annual cash bonus incentive award. In addition, each 2017 Annual Objective has a maximum cap on the percentage of the target cash incentive bonus that the executive officers may earn: 90%, 60%, 60%, 20% and 40% in the case of the 2017 EBITDA Growth Objective, the 2017 Adjusted FFO Growth Objective, the 2017 RevPAR Penetration Objective, the 2017 Asset Management Objective and the 2017 Operating Objective, respectively.
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Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
Overview. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan allows for long-term incentives to our named executive officers, key employees and consultants and other service providers to the Company, its subsidiaries and advisors through grants of option rights, appreciation rights, restricted share awards, performance-based equity awards, LTIP units and other forms of equity incentive awards. Awards granted to named executive officers and other employees under the incentive plan are designed to provide grantees with an incentive to promote the long-term success of the Company in line with our shareholders' interests. The awards align the named executive officers' interests with the interests of shareholders by providing the named executive officers with an ownership interest in the Company and a stake in the Company's success. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has discretion to determine those individuals or entities to whom awards will be granted, the number of shares subject to such rights and awards and other terms and conditions of the option rights, appreciation rights and restricted share awards. Awards may have a vesting period that is tied to each named executive officer's or employee's continued service to the Company or a specifically identified set of performance measures.
Long-term equity incentive awards for the named executive officers with respect to a fiscal year are typically issued near the beginning of such fiscal year.
Awards of Restricted Common Shares. In February 2016, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher received awards of restricted Common Shares subject to pro rata time-based vesting on January 1, 2017, January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2019. Mr. Bortz received 29,992 restricted Common Shares, and Messrs. Martz and Fisher each received 12,854 restricted Common Shares. The shares were granted pursuant to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and were intended as part of the 2016 compensation program. The 2016 awards of restricted Common Shares for the named executive officers are included in the Summary Compensation Table located elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
For 2017, the Company awarded restricted Common Shares to Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher in the amounts of 24,251, 10,490 and 10,490 shares, respectively, in February 2017. The grant date fair values of the awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, were $718,800, $310,924 and $310,924, respectively, or approximately 19% of each named executive officer's target total compensation. The restricted Common Shares will vest ratably on January 1, 2018, January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2020, provided that the recipient remains employed by the Company on each vesting date (or as otherwise described below under "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies—Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards").
Awards of Performance-Based Equity. In February 2016, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher received awards of performance-based equity in the form of performance units, which will vest in the form of Common Shares only if, and to the degree that, long-term performance criteria established by the Board ("2016 Long-Term Objectives") are met, provided that the recipient remains employed by the Company through December 31, 2018 (or as otherwise described below under "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies—Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards").
There are three 2016 Long-Term Objectives:
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The level of performance against each of the 2016 Long-Term Objectives is measured relative to a target and is subject to a maximum and minimum, each of which varies by objective, as shown in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Long-Term Objectives | Minimum % of Target Bonus | Decrease Increment | Target Performance and % of Target Bonus | Increase Increment | Maximum % of Target Bonus | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Group TSR | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | ³ 600 bps below | For every 100 bps below target | TSR = Peer-Group Avg. | For every 100 bps above target | ³ 600 bps above | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 1,167 bps less | 70% | 1,167 bps more | 140% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Absolute TSR | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | £ 0% TSR | For every 100 bps below target | 6% TSR | For every 100 bps above target | ³ 12% TSR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 250 bps less | 15% | 250 bps more | 30% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2016 Direct Competitor | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | ³ 23 bps increase in gap | For every 10 bps increase in EBITDA margin gap | No change in EBITDA margin gap | For every 10 bps decrease in EBITDA margin gap | ³ 278 bps decrease in gap | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 666.67 bps less | 15% | 666.67 bps more | 200% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate (as percent of Target Bonus) | 0% | 100% | 200% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regardless of the Company's actual performance against any one or more of the 2016 Long-Term Objectives, the maximum amount of performance units that can vest (and be settled in the form of Common Shares) for any of the named executive officers is 200% of the executive's target number of performance units under the award.
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The minimum, target and maximum number of performance units subject to the 2016 performance-based equity incentive awards for the Company's three executive officers are as follows:
| Number of Performance Units Subject to Performance-Based Vesting Based on 2016 Long-Term Objectives | | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value if Maximum Number Vests(2) | ||||||||||||
Name | Minimum(1) | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||
Jon E. Bortz | 0 | 44,987 | 89,974 | $ | 2,142,281 | ||||||||
Raymond D. Martz | 0 | 19,280 | 38,560 | $ | 918,114 | ||||||||
Thomas C. Fisher | 0 | 19,280 | 38,560 | $ | 918,114 |
For each named executive officer, the actual amount of performance units that will vest (and be settled in the form of Common Shares) after December 31, 2018 will depend on the Company's performance against the 2016 Long-Term Objectives and requires that the recipient remain employed by the Company through December 31, 2018 (or as otherwise described below). Prior to vesting, the performance units will not be entitled to receive dividends paid on Common Shares or to be voted, but dividends will, in effect, accrue on the units and will be paid if, but only if, and to the extent that the performance units vest.
In February 2017, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher received awards of performance-based equity, in the form of performance units, which will vest in the form of Common Shares if, and to the degree that, long-term performance criteria established by the Board ("2017 Long-Term Objectives") are met, provided that the recipient remains employed by the Company through January 1, 2020 (or as otherwise described below under "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies—Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards").
There are two 2017 Long-Term Objectives:
The Compensation Committee determined the percentage of the target number of performance units for each 2017 Long-Term Objective based on each objective's relative importance in supporting the Company's financial and strategic goals. The Compensation Committee, having determined that the Company significantly narrowed the gap in hotel-level EBITDA margin compared to LaSalle Hotel Properties', decided to eliminate that metric from the compensation program in favor of increasing the target allocation of the 2017 Absolute TSR Objective. The Compensation Committee intended that change to emphasize the importance of delivering absolute total shareholder returns regardless of the performance of our peers.
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The level of performance against each 2017 Long-Term Objective will be measured relative to a target. The payout level of each objective varies by level of performance achieved, from a minimum of 0% up to target and maximum amounts that differ by objective, as shown in the following table (and payout levels between minimum and target, or between target and maximum, will be interpolated):
| | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Long-Term Objectives | Minimum % of Target Bonus | Target Performance and % of Target Bonus | Maximum % of Target Bonus | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Relative TSR | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | TSR£ Peer Group minimum | TSR in 50th percentile of Peer Group | TSR³ Peer Group maximum | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 65% | 162.5% | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2017 Absolute TSR | Performance (relative to Target Performance) | £ 0% TSR | 6% TSR | ³ 15% TSR | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payout Level (% of Target Bonus) | 0% | 35% | 87.5% | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate (as percent of Target Bonus) | 0% | 100% | 200% | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Regardless of the Company's actual performance against one or more of the 2017 Long-Term Objectives, the maximum amount of performance units that can vest (and be settled in the form of Common Shares) for any of the executive officers is 200% of the executive's target number of performance units under the award.
The minimum, target and maximum number of performance units subject to the 2017 performance-based equity incentive awards for the Company's three executive officers are as follows:
| Number of Performance Units Subject to Performance-Based Vesting Based on 2017 Long-Term Objectives | | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value if Maximum Number Vests(2) | ||||||||||||
Name | Minimum(1) | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||
Jon E. Bortz | 0 | 36,376 | 72,752 | $ | 2,156,369 | ||||||||
Raymond D. Martz | 0 | 15,736 | 31,472 | $ | 932,830 | ||||||||
Thomas C. Fisher | 0 | 15,736 | 31,472 | $ | 932,830 |
For each named executive officer, the actual amount of performance units that will vest (and be settled in the form of Common Shares) after December 31, 2019 will depend on the Company's performance against the 2017 Long-Term Objectives and requires that the recipient remain employed by the Company through December 31, 2019 (or as otherwise described below). Prior to vesting, the performance units will not be entitled to receive dividends paid on Common Shares or to be voted, but dividends will, in effect, accrue on the units and will be paid if, but only if, and to the extent that, the performance units vest.
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Other Benefits
Consistent with the philosophy of the Compensation Committee to establish individual- and Company-based performance measures, the Compensation Committee will continue to maintain competitive benefits and perquisites for named executive officers. However, the Compensation Committee does not view benefits and perquisites as a key component of the Company's compensation program and their total value remains a small percentage of each named executive officer's base salary. The Compensation Committee may revise, amend or add to each named executive officer's benefits and perquisites if it deems it advisable.
Other Factors Considered by the Compensation Committee
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Code limits the deduction that a public corporation may claim for compensation paid to its chief executive officer and its three other highest paid executive officers (other than its chief financial officer). The compensation deduction that may be claimed on account of amounts paid to each of those executive officers is limited to $1 million per year. Compensation that qualifies as "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code is not subject to the deduction limit.
A transition rule under Section 162(m) of the Code applies to compensation paid by the Company under an agreement or plan that was in effect at the time of the Company's IPO; provided that the prospectus for the offering disclosed the terms of the agreement or plan in accordance with the requirements of applicable securities law. The transition rule provides that compensation paid under such agreements before the end of a specified reliance period is not subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limit. Similarly, compensation paid pursuant to awards granted under a plan, like the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, before the end of the specified reliance period is not subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limit. The reliance period for the Company under the transition rule ended when the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan was amended and restated in 2012. The Company should be entitled to rely on the relief provided under the transition rule so that Section 162(m) will not apply to compensation paid under the agreements, or grants made under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, before the reliance period ended.
With respect to compensation that is not exempt from the deduction limit under this transition rule, the Compensation Committee generally seeks to preserve the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to the named executive officers and thus may design compensation awards and incentives so that they qualify as "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code. However, in order to maintain flexibility in compensating the named executive officers in a manner designed to promote our corporate goals, including retaining and providing incentives to the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy that all compensation must be deductible.
Payments Upon Termination of A Named Executive Officer and Vesting of Equity Awards Upon A Change in Control of the Company
The Company entered into an agreement with each of its named executive officers, upon his joining the Company, to provide benefits to each in the event his employment is terminated in certain circumstances. Otherwise, the Company has not entered into an employment agreement with any of its named executive officers. The Compensation Committee expects to review the terms of the three change in control severance agreements annually. Because each named executive officer's severance payment is derived from his annual base salary and other annual incentive compensation, the effect on severance payments is one of the factors expected to be considered by the Compensation Committee
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when annually reviewing the named executive officer's total compensation and change in control severance agreement terms in the future.
The agreement with each named executive officer provides that the named executive officer will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits detailed in this Proxy Statement under "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies" if the named executive officer resigns for "good reason" or is terminated without "cause" in connection with, or within one year after, a change in control of the Company or is terminated without "cause" not in connection with, or within one year after, a change in control of the Company. As noted at the beginning of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, one of the Company's executive compensation philosophies is to retain its executive officers. The Compensation Committee believes that the terms of the change in control severance agreements, including the events triggering severance payments, are competitive with those of other lodging REITs and promote stability among its named executive officers which is important to the Company's overall performance.
In addition, the Compensation Committee considers the effect of accelerated vesting of certain equity awards upon a termination of a named executive officer or a change in control of the Company. The Compensation Committee approves of the terms of the time-based restricted share award agreements and the performance-based equity award agreements, including the immediate vesting of time-based restricted Common Shares (and, in the case of performance-based equity awards, the immediate vesting of at least the target number of Common Shares) upon a change in control of the Company, upon a named executive officer's resignation for good reason or upon a named executive officer's termination without cause. The Compensation Committee believes that the terms of the time-based restricted share award agreements and the performance-based equity award agreements are competitive with those of other lodging REITs, promote stability among the Company's named executive officers, which is important to the Company's overall performance, and provide appropriate incentive to align the interests of management with shareholders' interests in evaluating potential acquisitions. For more information on the vesting terms of the named executive officer's time-based restricted Common Shares and performance-based equity awards, see "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies—Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards."
Risk Management Considerations
The Compensation Committee considers at least annually whether our compensation program encourages our executive officers to manage risk prudently across the Company and whether our compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Our Company's compensation program, management team and the culture they foster encourage value creation for our shareholders over the long-term and discourage a focus on maximizing short-term value at the long-term's expense. We evaluate performance using both quantitative and qualitative measures and many elements of our compensation program serve to mitigate excessive and inappropriate risk-taking. For example, we seek to compensate our executives with a well-balanced mix of guaranteed base salary, performance-based annual cash incentive bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards. Our executive officers' base salaries provide assured levels of income that do not vary with the executives' or the Company's performance. We balance the certainty of the base salary with the potential for additional cash based on one-year performance metrics that are both quantitative and qualitative. The long-term equity incentive awards are themselves balanced between equity awards that will vest based on time and service over three-years (five years in the case of a special retention award) and awards that may vest, if at all, based on performance over multi-year periods, usually three (five in the case of a special retention award). In this way, we seek to motivate our executives to consider the impact of their decisions over the short, medium and long terms.
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Our clawback policy, share ownership guidelines and prohibition against hedging further mitigate the possibility of excessive and inappropriate risk-taking. Moreover, we have never granted stock options.
The Company believes that its compensation policies and practices embodied in the compensation programs for 2016 and 2017, including the 2017 Annual Objectives and the 2017 Long-Term Objectives, appropriately align management's incentives with the interests of our shareholders. As a result, the Company believes its compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Share Ownership Guidelines for Named Executive Officers
In 2010, the Board established share ownership guidelines for the named executive officers of the Company. The Board believes that encouraging each named executive officer to maintain a meaningful ownership interest in the Company relative to the named executive officer's annual base salary is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and is likely to further encourage the named executive officer to act in a manner that creates value for the Company's shareholders. Pursuant to the guidelines, the Board recommends that each of our executive officers should own shares in the Company having an aggregate value equal to or greater than the multiple of his base salary as shown in the following table.
| Multiple of Annual Base Salary (2016) | Amount of Share Ownership Required | Ownership Level Already Exceeded? | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Executive Officer | 5x | $3.8 million | Yes | |||
Chief Financial Officer | 3x | $1.2 million | Yes | |||
Chief Investment Officer | 3x | $1.2 million | Yes |
Ownership of Common Shares, LTIP units, restricted Common Shares subject to time-based vesting and Preferred Shares count toward the recommended level of share ownership. Any Common Shares that may vest pursuant to performance-based equity awards, if any, that have not vested will not count toward the recommended level of share ownership. Any new named executive officer will have five years from the time of joining the Company to attain the recommended level of share ownership. Once the Board has determined that an executive officer has met the recommended level of share ownership, declines in the market value of those shares following the Board's determination will not change that determination. All three of our named executive officers have exceeded the recommended level of share ownership for executive officers.
Prohibition Against Hedging
Our insider trading policy prohibits our officers, trustees, employees and consultants of the Company and their respective family members from, among other prohibited activities, engaging in short-term or speculative transactions in the Company's securities or in other transactions in the Company's securities that may lead to inadvertent violations of insider trading laws. The insider trading policy also prohibits our officers, trustees, employees and consultants of the Company and their respective family members from engaging in short sales of the Company's securities and transactions in publicly traded options on the Company's securities, such as puts, calls and other derivative securities, on an exchange or in any other market.
Adoption of Compensation Clawback Policy
We have adopted a policy regarding the recovery of erroneously awarded compensation, also known as a clawback policy. Under the policy, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting
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restatement of its previously filed financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under federal securities laws, the Board of Trustees will require reimbursement or forfeiture of any incentive compensation that has been paid but that would not have been paid based on the subsequently restated financial statements. The policy requires such recoupment even if fraud, intentional misconduct or illegal behavior were not involved in such noncompliance. The policy applies to incentive compensation that is approved, awarded or granted following adoption of the policy in October 2015 and paid during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement. The policy is applicable to current and former executive officers of the Company and other officers and employees as may be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Prohibition on Classification of Board without Shareholder Approval—Opt-out of Classified Board Provision of Maryland's Unsolicited Takeovers Act
We amended our declaration of trust to opt out of the classified board provision of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL and prohibit the Company from opting back in to that provision without the prior approval of shareholders. Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL is commonly referred to as the Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act or MUTA. As a result of the amendment, the Board is prohibited from becoming classified under Section 3-803 of the MGCL unless a proposal to repeal that prohibition is approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast on the matter by the Company's shareholders entitled to vote on the matter.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION TABLES
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The amounts shown represent the compensation paid to our named executive officers for the years shown as consideration for services rendered to us.
With respect to long-term equity incentive awards, the dollar amounts indicated in the table under "Share Awards" are the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus(1) ($) | Share Awards(2) ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(1) ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jon E. Bortz | 2016 | 750,000 | — | 1,653,955 | (3) | 1,687,500 | (4) | 51,330 | (5) | 4,142,785 | ||||||||||||
Chairman, President and | 2015 | 750,000 | — | 1,675,136 | (6) | 1,155,000 | (7) | 53,950 | (8) | 3,634,087 | ||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 2014 | 750,000 | — | 1,486,401 | (9) | 1,410,000 | (10) | 50,160 | (11) | 3,696,561 | ||||||||||||
Raymond D. Martz | 2016 | 450,000 | — | 708,842 | (12) | 600,000 | (4) | 47,246 | (13) | 1,806,088 | ||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, | 2015 | 400,000 | — | 698,822 | (14) | 562,500 | (7) | 47,248 | (15) | 1,708,570 | ||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer, | 2014 | 400,000 | — | 619,341 | (16) | 686,200 | (10) | 45,234 | (17) | 1,750,775 | ||||||||||||
Treasurer and Secretary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas C. Fisher | 2016 | 450,000 | — | 708,842 | (12) | 600,000 | (4) | 46,542 | (18) | 1,805,384 | ||||||||||||
Executive Vice President, | 2015 | 400,000 | — | 698,822 | (14) | 562,500 | (7) | 46,987 | (19) | 1,708,309 | ||||||||||||
Chief Investment Officer | 2014 | 400,000 | — | 619,341 | (16) | 686,200 | (10) | 44,808 | (20) | 1,750,349 |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The table below shows the dollar value of performance-based equity awards for each named executive officer assuming that (i) on the grant date of the awards the highest level of performance was probable, (ii) the maximum value of the awards will be earned and (iii) the value per Common Share upon maximum vesting is the closing price per Common Share on the NYSE on the date of grant. The values of the performance-based equity awards are dependent on the Company's performance over a three-year or six-year period, as applicable, and there is no assurance that the maximum value of the awards will be earned.
| Maximum Value of Performance-Based Equity Awards Assuming Highest Performance Level | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Bortz | Martz | Fisher | |||||||
2016 | $ | 2,142,281 | $ | 918,114 | $ | 918,114 | ||||
2015 | $ | 1,939,650 | $ | 809,189 | $ | 809,189 | ||||
2014 | $ | 1,781,067 | $ | 742,091 | $ | 742,091 |
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information with respect to plan-based awards granted in 2016 to the named executive officers. The dollar amounts indicated under the "Grant Date Fair Value" are the full fair value of each equity grant, in accordance with the applicable accounting literature, which, with respect to the value of performance-based equity incentive awards, is the probable outcome of the performance conditions as of the grant date.
| | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) | All Other Share Awards: Number of Shares/units (#) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Date of Grant | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (# of shares) | Target (# of shares) | Maximum (# of shares) | Grant Date Fair Value ($) | |||||||||||||||||||
Jon E. Bortz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Bonus | — | (3) | 1,125,000 | 2,250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Time-Based | February 10, 2016 | 29,992 | (4) | 714,110 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based | February 10, 2016 | — | (5) | 44,987 | 89,974 | 939,846 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond D. Martz |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Bonus | — | (3) | 400,000 | 800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Time-Based | February 10, 2016 | 12,854 | (4) | 306,054 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based | February 10, 2016 | — | (5) | 19,280 | 38,560 | 402,788 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas C. Fisher |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Cash Incentive Bonus | — | (3) | 400,000 | 800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Time-Based | February 10, 2016 | 12,854 | (4) | 306,054 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based | February 10, 2016 | — | (5) | 19,280 | 38,560 | 402,788 | (6) |
Discussion of Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables
Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to which the compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Tables and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table was paid or awarded, are described above under "Executive Officer Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The terms of change in control severance agreements that we have entered into with our executives are described below under "Change in Control Severance Agreements, Equity Award Vesting and Other Termination Policies."
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2016.
| | Share and Unit Awards | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Date of Grant | Number of Shares and Units That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares and Units That Have Not Vested(1) ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Rights That Have Not Vested(1) ($) | ||||||||||
Jon E. Bortz | December 13, 2013 | 87,392 | (2) | 2,599,912 | 174,784 | (3) | 5,199,824 | ||||||||
February 4, 2014 | 6,572 | (4) | 195,517 | 59,152 | (5) | 1,759,772 | |||||||||
February 11, 2015 | 8,820 | (6) | 262,395 | 39,690 | (5) | 1,180,778 | |||||||||
February 10, 2016 | 29,992 | (7) | 892,262 | 89,974 | (5) | 2,676,727 | |||||||||
Raymond D. Martz | December 13, 2013 | 47,057 | (2) | 1,399,940 | 94,114 | (3) | 2,799,880 | ||||||||
February 4, 2014 | 2,738 | (4) | 81,456 | 24,646 | (5) | 733,219 | |||||||||
February 11, 2015 | 3,679 | (6) | 109,450 | 16,558 | (5) | 492,601 | |||||||||
February 10, 2016 | 12,854 | (7) | 382,407 | 38,560 | (5) | 1,147,160 | |||||||||
Thomas C. Fisher | December 13, 2013 | 47,057 | (2) | 1,399,940 | 94,114 | (3) | 2,799,880 | ||||||||
February 4, 2014 | 2,738 | (4) | 81,456 | 24,646 | (5) | 733,219 | |||||||||
February 11, 2015 | 3,679 | (6) | 109,450 | 16,558 | (5) | 492,601 | |||||||||
February 10, 2016 | 12,854 | (7) | 382,407 | 38,560 | (5) | 1,147,160 |
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In February 2017, Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher were granted restricted share awards of 24,251, 10,490 and 10,490 Common Shares, respectively. The shares will vest in equal one-third installments on January 1 of 2018, 2019 and 2020, provided the executive officer remains employed by the Company on the vesting date. Prior to vesting, the restricted shares are entitled to vote and receive dividends.
Option Exercises and Shares Vested
The Company has not granted any share option awards to the named executive officers. The following table sets forth information with respect to the vesting of the named executive officers' restricted Common Shares and LTIP Class A units during 2016.
| Share Awards | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting(1) (#) | Value Realized on Vesting(2) ($) | |||||
Jon E. Bortz | 114,097 | 3,203,068 | |||||
Raymond D. Martz | 51,386 | 1,436,683 | |||||
Thomas C. Fisher | 51,386 | 1,436,683 |
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2016, relating to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, before the Amendment, pursuant to which grants of options, restricted shares, restricted units or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 642,264 | (2) | — | (3) | 1,409,031 | (4) | ||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | 642,264 | — | 1,409,031 |
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CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS, EQUITY AWARD VESTING AND OTHER TERMINATION POLICIES
Change in Control Severance Agreements of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher
The Company previously entered into agreements with its named executive officers (in connection with our IPO in 2009 in the cases of Messrs. Bortz and Martz and in March 2010 in the case of Mr. Fisher) to provide benefits to each in the event his employment is terminated in certain circumstances. The Compensation Committee reviews the terms of these change in control severance agreements annually. As described in more detail below, because each named executive officer's severance payment is derived from his annual base salary and other annual incentive compensation, the effect on severance payments is one of the factors the Compensation Committee considers when annually reviewing each named executive officer's total compensation and change in control severance agreement terms.
The change in control severance agreements for Messrs. Bortz and Martz became effective on December 14, 2009 and for Mr. Fisher on March 5, 2010, each for an initial term of three years. The term of each agreement is automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary date of the effective date of the change in control severance agreement beginning on the third anniversary of the effective date of the change in control severance agreement unless, not less than six months prior to the termination of the then-existing term, the Board provides notice to the executive of its intent not to extend the term further. On December 14, 2016 and March 5, 2017, the term of each change in control severance agreement for Messrs. Bortz and Martz and for Mr. Fisher, respectively, was automatically extended by one year. Each of the named executive officers may terminate his agreement prior to the expiration of the term as described below.
Termination Without Cause (in Connection With, Or Within One Year After, A Change in Control) and Resignation For Good Reason
The agreement provides that upon the termination of the executive either by the Company without "Cause" in connection with, or within one year after, a change in control of the Company or the voluntary resignation by the executive, upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Company, for "Good Reason," the executive will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits:
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Termination Without Cause (and Without A Change in Control)
If the executive is terminated without "Cause" and not in connection with or within one year of a change in control of the Company, the executive will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits:
Termination For Cause and Resignation Without Good Reason
If the Company terminates the executive for "Cause" or the executive voluntarily terminates his employment without "Good Reason," the executive will be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits:
Other Key Change in Control Severance Agreement Terms
As a condition of any severance payment and related benefits described above, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher has agreed to a general release of any and all claims relating to the named executive officer's employment. In addition, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher has agreed that while his change in control severance agreement is in force and for a one-year period following the Company's termination of the executive for "cause" or the executive voluntarily terminates his employment without "good reason," he will not solicit, hire or recruit employees of, or persons who have worked for, the Company or any of its affiliates either directly or indirectly for his own account or for another party.
Under the terms of their change in control severance agreements, each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher is entitled to a tax gross-up payment under certain conditions for the parachute payment excise tax in the event that his employment is terminated in connection with a change in control.
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Below is a list of terms and their meanings as defined in each named executive officer's change in control severance agreement:
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voting power and common shares of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
The terms of the time-based LTIP unit and restricted Common Share awards granted to each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher provide that:
The terms of the performance-based equity awards granted to each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher provide for vesting of up to the greater of (x) the target number of units and (y) the number of units determined by the performance provisions in the case of the first four of the five above-listed scenarios, and forfeiture in the case of the fifth.
Except as described above, any awards that are unvested at the time the executive terminates his employment with the Company are forfeited.
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The following table indicates the cash amounts, accelerated vesting and other payments and benefits that the named executive officers would be entitled to receive under various circumstances pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, the agreements governing awards made under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and their change in control severance agreements. The table assumes that termination of the named executive officer from the Company under the scenario shown occurred on December 31, 2015.
Name and Termination Scenario | Cash Payment(1) | Acceleration of Vesting of Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards(2) | Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments(3) | Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jon E. Bortz—Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||
By Company For Cause or By Employee Without Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Upon Death or Disability | — | $ | 14,767,186 | — | $ | 14,767,186 | |||||||
With A Change in Control—For Good Reason or Without Cause | $ | 6,941,689 | $ | 14,767,186 | $ | 5,374,089 | $ | 27,082,964 | |||||
Without A Change in Control—For Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Without A Change in Control—Without Cause | $ | 3,057,230 | $ | 14,767,186 | — | $ | 17,824,416 | ||||||
Raymond D. Martz—Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary | |||||||||||||
By Company For Cause or By Employee Without Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Upon Death or Disability | — | $ | 7,146,111 | — | $ | 7,146,111 | |||||||
With A Change in Control—For Good Reason or Without Cause | $ | 2,641,143 | $ | 7,146,111 | $ | 2,013,080 | $ | 11,800,334 | |||||
Without A Change in Control—For Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Without A Change in Control—Without Cause | $ | 1,581,770 | $ | 7,146,111 | — | $ | 8,727,881 | ||||||
Thomas C. Fisher—Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer | |||||||||||||
By Company For Cause or By Employee Without Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Upon Death or Disability | — | $ | 7,146,111 | — | $ | 7,146,111 | |||||||
With A Change in Control—For Good Reason or Without Cause | $ | 2,641,718 | $ | 7,146,111 | $ | 2,011,043 | $ | 11,798,871 | |||||
Without A Change in Control—For Good Reason(4) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Without A Change in Control—Without Cause | $ | 1,581,961 | $ | 7,146,111 | — | $ | 8,728,072 |
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$29.75, the closing market price per Common Share at the end of the last completed fiscal year, December 31, 2016. For purposes of this table, performance-based share and unit grants are assumed to vest at the maximum level. The "founders" LTIP Class A units reached parity with Common Shares in April 2011. The LTIP Class B units granted in December 2013 reached parity in July 2014. For more information regarding the Company's assumptions made in the valuation of the Company's equity awards, see Note 8 to the financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
DOUBLE-TRIGGER CASH STAY BONUS
In order to promote retention of our named executive officers following a change in control event, the Company has a program to encourage continued employment following such an event. If, and only if, (i) a change in control event occurs and (ii) a named executive officer remains employed by the Company on the first anniversary of that change in control event, that named executive officer is entitled to receive a lump sum cash stay bonus. A named executive officer cannot receive a cash stay bonus in addition to any of the termination payments described above. For each named executive officer, the cash stay bonus is equal to the sum of the executive's base salary plus the greater of (x) the bonus most recently paid to the executive and (y) the average amount of the bonuses paid to the executive with respect to the three most recent fiscal years. Assuming that a change in control occurred on December 31, 2016 and that each of Messrs. Bortz, Martz and Fisher remained with the Company at least until December 31, 2017, their cash stay bonuses would have been $2,437,500, $1,050,000 and $1,050,000, respectively, based on the amount of their 2016 actual cash incentive bonuses and their 2016 base salaries.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Shares for each shareholder of the Company that is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Shares based upon filings made with the SEC. The percentages shown in this table are calculated based on 69,549,584 Common Shares outstanding as of April 22, 2017.
| Common Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number | Percent of All Shares | |||||
The Vanguard Group, Inc.(2) | 10,989,668 | 15.8 | % | ||||
BlackRock, Inc.(3) | 7,242,486 | 10.4 | % | ||||
Vanguard Specialized Funds—REIT Index(4) | 5,471,831 | 7.9 | % | ||||
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.(5) | 5,445,379 | 7.8 | % | ||||
Cohen & Steers(6) | 5,384,672 | 7.7 | % | ||||
Daiwa Asset Management Co. Ltd.(7) | 4,754,855 | 6.8 | % | ||||
Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC(8) | 4,448,770 | 6.4 | % | ||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(9) | 3,918,195 | 5.6 | % |
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Security Ownership of Management
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our equity securities, as of April 22, 2017, for each of our named executive officers, each trustee and all trustees and executive officers as a group. As of that date, 69,549,584 Common Shares were outstanding. Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed exercise sole voting and dispositive power over the shares. No shares have been pledged as security by any trustee or executive.
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Common Shares and LTIP Units Beneficially Owned(1) | Percent of All Shares(2) | Percent of All Shares and LTIP Units(3) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jon E. Bortz | 918,633 | (4) | 1.3 | % | 1.3 | % | ||||
Raymond D. Martz | 202,379 | (5) | * | * | ||||||
Thomas C. Fisher | 133,574 | (6) | * | * | ||||||
Cydney C. Donnell | 21,144 | * | * | |||||||
Ron E. Jackson | 30,542 | * | * | |||||||
Phillip M. Miller | 10,473 | * | * | |||||||
Michael J. Schall | 33,901 | (7) | * | * | ||||||
Earl E. Webb | 13,885 | * | * | |||||||
Laura H. Wright | 17,568 | * | * | |||||||
All trustees and executive officers as a group (9 persons)(4)(5)(6) | 1,382,099 | 2.0 | % | 2.0 | % |
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires the Company's executive officers and trustees, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities ("10% Holders"), to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, trustees and 10% Holders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable transactions were reported, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 the executive officers, trustees and 10% Holders timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a).
Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Company. The trustees, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation for such activities. The Company will also request persons, firms and corporations holding Common Shares in their names or in the names of their nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send appropriate solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The Company will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
The Company will employ Broadridge Financial Solutions to receive and tabulate the proxies.
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Secretary of the Company not later than December 29, 2017 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act ("Rule 14a-8") and such proposals must comply with all of the requirements of Rule 14a-8.
Our Bylaws provide that in order for a shareholder proposal to be presented at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, other than a shareholder proposal included in the Company's Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8, it must be received at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on November 29, 2017, and not later than December 29, 2017. If the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled to take place before May 31, 2018 or after July 30, 2018, then notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 150th day prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is first made by the Company. Any such proposal should be mailed to: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1100 West, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, Attn: Secretary.
Additional Matters
The Board of Trustees does not know of any matters other than those described in this Proxy Statement that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters are presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders.
Requests for Annual Report on Form 10-K
A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, may be obtained without
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charge at our website at www.pebblebrookhotels.com. Information at, or connected to, our website is not and should not be considered part of this Proxy Statement.If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, please submit a written request to: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES | ||
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Raymond D. Martz Secretary |
Bethesda, Maryland
April 28, 2017
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VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 29, 2017. Have your notice or proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. PEBBLEBROOK HOTEL TRUST 7315 Wisconsin Ave Suite 1100 West BETHESDA, MD 20814 ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 29, 2017. Have your notice or proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. For Withhold For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the AllAll The Board of Trustees recommends you vote FOR the following: nominee(s) on the line below. 0 0 0 1. Election of Trustees Nominees 01 Jon E. Bortz 06 Earl E. Webb 02 Cydney C. Donnell 07 Laura H. Wright 03 Ron E. Jackson 04 Phillip M. Miller 05 Michael J. Schall The Board of Trustees recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4. For 0 0 0 1 year 2 years Against 0 0 0 3 years 0 Abstain 0 0 0 Abstain 0 2. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP to serve as our independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2017. Approval, by advisory and non-binding vote, of our named executive officers' compensation ("Say-On-Pay"). 3. 4. Non-binding shareholder proposal from the Union to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of trustees. The Board of Trustees recommends you vote 1 YEAR on proposal 5. 5. Recommendation, by non-binding vote, on frequency of conducting Say-On-Pay votes ("Say-When-On-Pay"). 0 0 NOTE: The proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon other matters that may properly come before the meeting. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date 0000332127_1 R1.0.1.15
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com . PEBBLEBROOK HOTEL TRUST Annual Meeting of Shareholders June 30, 2017 9:00 AM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Trustees The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Jon E. Bortz and Raymond D. Martz, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the common shares of beneficial interest of PEBBLEBROOK HOTEL TRUST that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 09:00 AM, Eastern Time, on June 30, 2017, at the offices of Hunton & Williams LLP, 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Trustees. Continued and to be signed on reverse side 0000332127_2 R1.0.1.15