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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): April 2, 2009
ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
MARYLAND   001-31775   86-1062192
(State of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
        Identification
        Number)
     
14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100    
Dallas, Texas   75254
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 490-9600
Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

ITEM 5.02—DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS
(b) Director Not Standing for Re-Election
     On April 2, 2009, Charles P. Toppino, a member of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the “Company”), informed the Board that he will not stand for re-election at the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, and accordingly, his tenure as a director of the Company will end as of the date of our 2009 annual meeting. In connection with Mr. Toppino’s decision to not stand for re-election, the Board also voted to decrease the number of directors on the Board from eight to seven as of the date of our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders.
(e) Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
     Cash Incentive Bonuses and Restricted Stock Awards. On April 2, 2009, the Board approved the recommendations of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) with respect to the 2008 annual cash incentive bonuses and restricted stock awards for each of the Company’s executive officers, as follows:
                 
            Restricted Stock
Executive Officer   Cash Incentive Bonus1   Awards2
Montgomery J. Bennett
  $ 437,500     $ 395,160  
Douglas A. Kessler
    275,000       299,040  
David J. Kimichik
    84,375       131,720  
David A. Brooks
    168,750       192,952  
Mark L. Nunneley
    123,750       158,064  
Alan L. Tallis
    168,750       190,994  
In addition, on April 2, 2009, the Board accepted the Committee’s recommendation and awarded Archie Bennett, Jr., the Company’s Chairman, $230,5102 of restricted stock awards.
 
1   Payable by the Company on or about April 2, 2009.
 
2   Represents shares of restricted common stock issued April 2, 2009, valued at $1.78 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance. The restricted stock awards vest in equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date beginning April 2, 2010.

 


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 8, 2009
         
  ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ David A. Brooks    
  David A. Brooks   
  Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel