Ross H. Bierkan served as the President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust from August 2016 until his retirement in August 2018. His leadership came during a pivotal time for the company, focusing on hospitality and asset management. In 2017,...

Ross H. Bierkan served as the President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust from August 2016 until his retirement in August 2018. His leadership came during a pivotal time for the company, focusing on hospitality and asset management. In 2017, Bierkan earned a total compensation of approximately $3.9 million, which included a notable cash bonus, reflecting strong corporate performance metrics. Interestingly, he did not receive any stock awards, as he retired before such grants could vest. Bierkan's exit was strategically planned, as he informed the Board of his decision months in advance. This smooth transition opened the way for Leslie D. Hale to step in as the new CEO. His tenure at RLJ Lodging Trust highlighted his experience in the hospitality sector, steering the company through competitive challenges at that time. Not much is known about his academic background, but his practical expertise in the industry suggests he brought valuable insights to the company's operations during his time.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other RLJ Lodging Trust CEOs

R

Ross H. Bierkan

Ex-CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust

Education

Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Field of Expertise

Other - Hospitality

Sector of Economy

Real Estate

CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust for

2 years 3 months (May 2016 - Aug 2018)

Previous Experience

Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President at RLJ Lodging Trust.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Ross H. Bierkan

D

Mark W. Brugger

CEO of DiamondRock Hospitality

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$832.00K

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$13.20K

Total Holdings

$19.47M

P

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.

CEO of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$2.22M

Salary

$1.00M

Bonus

$2.44M

Other

$960.00

Total Holdings

$27.66M

P

Thomas C. Fisher

CEO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$525.00K

Bonus

$27.50K

Other

$67.97K

Total Holdings

$5.25M

R

Colin V. Reed

CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties

2023 Compensation

Stock

$4.58M

Salary

$500.00K

Bonus

$62.00K

Other

$33.73K

Total Holdings

$135.35M

R

Mark Fioravanti

CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$850.17K

Bonus

$230.40K

Other

$57.76K

Total Holdings

$26.36M

Holdings

See how much did Ross H. Bierkan make over time.

During his time at RLJ Lodging Trust, Ross H. Bierkan's ownership of company shares and his financial stake was a topic of interest. Notably, he handled significant fluctuations in his holdings, which were reflective of the company's performance during his...

During his time at RLJ Lodging Trust, Ross H. Bierkan's ownership of company shares and his financial stake was a topic of interest. Notably, he handled significant fluctuations in his holdings, which were reflective of the company's performance during his tenure. As a prominent executive, Bierkan's holdings represented a sizeable portion of his wealth. He had amassed a considerable investment in RLJ, though specific numbers on shares held were not disclosed during his time with the company. By the time of his retirement, he had not received any significant stock options or awards, indicating a focus on cash compensations rather than equities. As he exited, his wealth composition shifted away from company shares as new leadership emerged.

No data yet.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Ross H. Bierkan.

No insider trades found for this CEO.

Compensation History

See how much did Ross H. Bierkan make over time.

Ross H. Bierkan's compensation during his tenure at RLJ Lodging Trust demonstrates a clear alignment with company performance. In 2018, his total compensation was approximately $1.21 million, with a base salary of $453,653 and a substantial cash bonus of $708,556 tied to hitting corporate performance targets. His bonuses were based on key metrics, showcasing a strong performance-based incentive structure. The previous year, his compensation peaked at $3.9 million, mainly driven by a focus on cash bonuses and minimal stock options. His compensation philosophy aimed to connect executive pay with shareholders' interests, ensuring that rewards were commensurate with the company's success. Despite his retirement, his compensation structure reflects an executive strategy aimed at motivating high performance in a competitive industry.

Year

2018

Total Compensation

$1.20M

Salary

$453.65K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aligns executive pay with company performance and shareholder interests, focusing on performance-based incentives.

Bonus

$708.56K

Board Justification

The annual cash bonus for Mr. Bierkan was based on corporate performance metrics, with a payout of 105% of his target bonus due to the company's performance during the year.

Other

$38.52K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes health benefits and 401(k) match contributions for the year.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

Mr. Bierkan did not receive any annual time-based equity awards or multi-year performance equity awards in February 2019 due to his retirement.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the cash bonus were based on the achievement of pre-established corporate objectives.

Other RLJ Lodging Trust CEOs

Here are other CEOs of RLJ Lodging Trust

Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr.

Ex-CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust

May 2011 - May 2016

Leslie D. Hale

CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust

August 2018 - Present