Blackwells Capital Releases Presentation Detailing Continued Buffoonery of Monty Bennett
Applauds Support for Blackwells' Campaign from Other Braemar Shareholders
Urges Shareholders to Vote FOR Blackwells' Nominees and Proposals
NEW YORK, June 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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)
[email protected]
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
Stockholders
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Toll Free: +1 (800) 322-2885
[email protected]
Media
Gagnier Communications
Dan Gagnier & Riyaz Lalani
646-569-5897
[email protected]
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.
