Blackwells Capital LLC (“Blackwells”), a shareholder of Braemar
Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Braemar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BHR),
today released a presentation titled, “The Continued Buffoonery of
Monty Bennett.”
Additionally, Blackwells is pleased to announce that independent
shareholders of Braemar are speaking out and concurring with
Blackwells’ campaign aims: to terminate the egregious external
management agreement with Ashford Inc. (“Ashford”) and to
reconstitute Braemar’s entrenched Board.
Brancous LP1 (“Brancous”), a large Braemar shareholder, wrote to
Blackwells commending Blackwells’ campaign. Brancous wrote: “we
share Blackwells’ concerns…” and that “[t]he reappointment of Monty
Bennett and Kamal Jafarnia by Ashford Hospitality board…reinforces
our concerns about the governance integrity of Braemar.” Brancous
further commented on “the lackluster performance under the current
board’s leadership” and stated that “it’s troubling to see board
members enriching themselves at the expense of shareholder value.”
A complete copy of the Brancous letter can be found at the end of
this press release.
In addition, Braemar’s second largest shareholder recently
disclosed a June 3, 2024 email that it sent to Monty Bennett. The
email calls for the termination of the external management
agreement with Ashford and for the replacement of members of the
Board. A copy of this letter can be found at
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1574085/000139834424011207/fp0088636-1_ex3.htm.
Jason Aintabi, Chief Investment Officer of Blackwells, said:
“We are not surprised to see other shareholders speaking out. We
are only surprised that Monty Bennett has remained in his position
as long as he has. He may have his conflicted board to thank for
that, but both he and they are facing a ticking clock until
independent, qualified individuals make their way onto the Board so
Braemar can return value to its rightful owners once and for all.
It’s time to put Monty’s Advisory Agreement where it belongs: in
the trash can.”
Blackwells urges all Braemar shareholders
to vote their proxy on the WHITE universal proxy card “FOR” each of
the Blackwells nominees and the Blackwells proposals. Blackwells
recommends shareholders vote “AGAINST” Braemar’s executive
compensation resolution.
If you have any questions about voting your proxy
or need replacement proxy materials, contact:MacKenzie Partners,
Inc.+1 (800) 322-2885 (toll free for
shareholders)proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Blackwells also encourages shareholders to
review Blackwells’ materials, the details of its engagement with
the Company, information about Blackwells’ nominees, and other
important information at www.NoMoreMonty.com. Shareholders are also
invited to follow Blackwells’ campaign on X at @nomoremonty and
Instagram at @no_more_monty.
Brancous’ letter to Blackwells is copied in full below:
May 16th, 2024
Dear Mr. Aintabi,I am writing to express our support for
Blackwells in its proxy battle with Braemar Hotel & Resorts
board.
The recent developments at Ashford Hospitality Trust have raised
significant concerns. The reappointment of Monty Bennett and Kamal
Jafarnia by Ashford Hospitality board, despite their prior defeat,
highlights entrenched directorship and reinforces our concerns
about the governance integrity of Braemar. These actions at Ashford
Hospitality not only question the independence and accountability
of its board but also raises serious questions about governance
integrity within Braemar. It is crucial for Braemar's board to
recognize these warning signs and prioritize transparency,
accountability, and shareholder interests to regain investor trust
and foster sustainable growth.
We share Blackwells' concerns regarding the intertwined
relationship between Braemar Hotels & Resorts and Ashford Inc.,
especially the conflict of interest arising from Monty Bennett's
dual roles. This situation not only undermines shareholder
interests but also hampers the company's potential for growth and
value creation.
Furthermore, we agree with your assessment of the lackluster
performance under the current board's leadership. While the company
has struggled, it's troubling to see board members enriching
themselves at the expense of shareholder value. Immediate action is
needed to address governance issues and restore shareholder
confidence.
In line with Blackwells' conviction, we support the call for
separation between Braemar Hotels & Resorts and Ashford Inc.
This critical step is imperative not only to safeguard shareholder
interests but also to guarantee unbiased decision-making within
Braemar.
We affirm our commitment to vote in favor of the directors
nominated by Blackwells to the Braemar Hotel & Resorts
board.
Sincerely,
Alejandro Malbran Managing Director Brancous LP1
About Blackwells Capital
Blackwells is a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm
that invests in public and private markets globally. Our public
markets portfolio focuses on currencies, equities, credit and
commodities. When necessary, we engage with public company boards
to drive value for all stakeholders. Our private markets portfolio
includes investments in space, clean energy, infrastructure, real
estate and technology. Further information is available
at www.blackwellscap.com.
Contacts
StockholdersMacKenzie Partners, Inc.Toll Free:
+1 (800) 322-2885proxy@mackenziepartners.com
MediaGagnier CommunicationsDan Gagnier &
Riyaz Lalani646-569-5897blackwells@gagnierfc.com
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Blackwells, Blackwells Onshore I LLC, Jason Aintabi, Michael
Cricenti, Jennifer M. Hill, Betsy L. McCoy and Steven J. Pully
(collectively, the “Participants”) are participants in the
solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company for
the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. On April 3,
2024, the Participants filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) their definitive proxy statement and
accompanying WHITE universal proxy card in connection with their
solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company.
ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE ADVISED TO READ THE
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING WHITE UNIVERSAL PROXY
CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY
THE PARTICIPANTS, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR DIRECT
OR INDIRECT INTERESTS IN THE COMPANY, BY SECURITY HOLDINGS OR
OTHERWISE.
The definitive proxy statement and an accompanying WHITE
universal proxy card will be furnished to some or all of the
Company’s stockholders and are, along with other relevant
documents, available at no charge on the SEC’s website
at http://www.sec.gov/. In addition, the Participants will
provide copies of the definitive proxy statement without charge,
upon request. Requests for copies should be directed to
Blackwells.
The Company’s board of directors has purported to reject as
invalid our nominations to elect each of Blackwells’ nominees and
determined that our notice is purportedly non-compliant with the
Company’s Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the
“Bylaws”) and defective. On March 24, 2024, the Company brought
suit against each of the Participants, Blackwells Holding Co. LLC,
Vandewater Capital Holdings, LLC, Blackwells Asset Management LLC
and BW Coinvest Management I LLC in the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “District Court”),
seeking injunctive relief against solicitation of proxies by
Blackwells and a declaratory judgment that Blackwells’ nomination
is invalid due to Blackwells’ alleged violations of the Bylaws,
and, as a result, Blackwells’ slate of purported nominees is
invalid and ineligible to stand for election by the Company’s
stockholders. Ultimately, Blackwells believes the Company’s claims
have no merit. On April 11, 2024, Blackwells filed a Complaint in
the District Court against the Company and the Company’s directors.
Blackwells alleges, among other things, that the Company improperly
rejected Blackwells’ nomination notice, breached the Bylaws, and
violated Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by
issuing false and misleading statements and failing to disclose The
Dallas Express as a proxy participant. The action filed by the
Company on March 24, 2024 and the action filed by Blackwells on
April 11, 2024 have been consolidated (the “Consolidated
Litigation”). The Consolidated Litigation is currently stayed. The
outcome of the Consolidated Litigation and any related litigation
may affect our ability to deliver proxies submitted to us on the
WHITE universal proxy card.
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