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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.          )

 

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2019 Proxy Statement
Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Thursday, May 16, 2019
9:00 a.m., Central Time

Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center
2493 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207

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April 1, 2019

Dear Stockholders:

        On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ashford Inc., I cordially invite you to attend our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

        2018 was a year of considerable achievement for Ashford Inc. as we delivered solid financial results, successfully executed on our high-growth, fee-based business model and continued to leverage our hospitality and investment experience to identify and invest in hospitality related opportunities where we can take our management expertise and the size and diversity of the hotel portfolios at our advised REITs to accelerate substantial growth. We are confident in our long-term strategy and believe we have significant opportunities to continue to accelerate Ashford's growth and create meaningful value for our stockholders.

        In 2018, as measured by our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income Per Share, we delivered solid financial and operating performance—with significant growth in revenue and adjusted earnings—and we are very pleased with the groundwork we are laying for the continued success of our platform. We entered 2019 well-positioned for further growth.

        Within our advised platforms, we can grow through the expansion of the asset bases of the companies we currently advise both organically as well as through accretive acquisitions. Looking ahead, we are well-positioned to grow Ashford Inc., not only through the internal or external growth of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. and Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc., our two advised REIT platforms, but also by adding additional investment platforms or by acquiring, managing or incubating additional hospitality or real estate-related businesses, continuing a trend we displayed in 2018 and through the beginning of 2019.

        We have accomplished a great deal over the last year, and we are excited about our progress and our plans for 2019. We believe the structure of the Ashford group of companies will continue to benefit investors as our advised companies provide the flexibility for investors to choose the investment strategy that best fits their needs and objectives. Our team's main goal has always been and will remain building stockholder value.

        We encourage you to read this proxy statement carefully and to vote your proxy as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the meeting.

Sincerely,

Monty J. Bennett
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

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Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Meeting Agenda

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Election of seven directors;



2.

Ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent auditors for 2019; and



3.

Transaction of any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting.

Record Date

        You may vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders the shares of common stock of which you were the holder of record at the close of business on March 18, 2019.

Review your proxy statement and vote in one of the four ways:

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In person: Attend the Annual Meeting and vote by ballot.



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By telephone: Call the telephone number and follow the instructions on your proxy card.



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Via the internet: Go to the website address shown on your proxy card and follow the instructions on the website.



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By mail: Mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope.

14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75254
April 1, 2019

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        IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2019.

        The Company's Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are available at www.ashfordinc.com by clicking the "INVESTORS" tab, then the "Financial Reports & SEC Filings" link and then the "Annual Meeting Material" link. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

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SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information contained in this proxy statement, but it does not contain all the information you should consider in determining how to vote your shares of our common stock at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. We urge you to read the entire proxy statement before you vote. This proxy statement was first mailed to stockholders on or about April 1, 2019.

        We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Ashford Inc. of proxies to be voted at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

        In this proxy statement, unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires:

•

"we," "our," "us," "Ashford," and the "Company" each refers to Ashford Inc. (NYSE American LLC: AINC), a Maryland corporation;



•

"Annual Meeting" refers to the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company;



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"Ashford LLC" refers to Ashford Hospitality Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and our subsidiary;



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"Ashford Trust" refers to Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT), a Maryland corporation and real estate investment trust ("REIT") from which we were spun off in November 2014;



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"Board of Directors," or "Board" means the board of directors of Ashford Inc.;



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"Braemar" refers to Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: BHR), a Maryland corporation and REIT that was spun off from Ashford Trust in November 2013 (formerly known as "Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.");



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"Code" refers to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;



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"Exchange Act" refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;



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"NYSE American" refers to NYSE American LLC, the stock exchange formerly known as "NYSE MKT" on which shares of our common stock are listed for trading;



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"Premier" refers to Premier Project Management LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashford LLC, that provides project management services, including construction management, interior design, architectural services, and the purchasing, expediting, warehousing coordination, freight management and supervision of installation of fixtures, furniture, furnishings and equipment ("FF&E"), and related services. On August 8, 2018, we completed our acquisition of Premier, formerly owned by Remington (as defined below);



•

"Remington" refers to Remington Lodging & Hospitality, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and property management company. Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and his father, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Ashford Trust, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of Remington Holdings, L.P., which wholly owns Remington. Mr. Monty J. Bennett also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Remington, Chairman of Ashford Trust and Chairman of Braemar;



•

"SEC" refers to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and



•

"Securities Act" refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        We, together with Ashford LLC, serve as external advisor to each of Ashford Trust and Braemar. In this proxy statement, we refer to Ashford Inc. and Ashford LLC collectively as "advisor."

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Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Voting Matters

        We are an "emerging growth company" under the rules of the SEC and as such are not required to include certain information in this proxy statement that companies that are not "emerging growth companies" must include, including a compensation discussion and analysis, certain compensation tables and related narrative information and pay ratio disclosure. We have elected to take advantage of such lesser disclosure requirements in presenting information in this proxy statement.

Board Nominees

        The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. All directors of the Company are elected annually by a plurality of all of the votes cast for and against each nominee.

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Summary of Director Diversity and Experience

        The Board embodies a broad and diverse set of experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Below is a brief summary of some of the attributes, skills and experiences of our director nominees. For a more complete description of each director nominee's qualifications, please see their biographies.

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Corporate Governance Highlights

        We are committed to the values of effective corporate governance and high ethical standards. Our Board believes that these values are conducive to the strong performance of the Company and creating long term stockholder value. Our governance framework gives our independent directors the structure necessary to provide oversight, direction, advice and counsel to the management of the Company. This framework is described in more detail in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which can be found on our website at www.ashfordinc.com by clicking the "INVESTORS" tab, then the "Corporate Governance" link, and then the "Governance Documents" link. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

        Set forth below is a summary of our corporate governance framework.

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PROPOSAL ONE—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        All of our directors are elected annually by our stockholders. If elected by the required vote, each of the persons nominated as director will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has nominated, for re-election each of the persons currently serving as directors of the Company other than Mr. John Mauldin, who is not being nominated for re-election. Mr. Mauldin will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors until the Annual Meeting.

        If any nominee becomes unable to stand for election as a director, an event that the Board of Directors does not presently expect, the Board of Directors reserves the right to nominate substitute nominees prior to the Annual Meeting. In such a case, the Company will file an amended proxy statement that will identify the substitute nominees, disclose whether such nominees have consented to being named in such revised proxy statement and to serve, if elected, and include such other disclosure relating to such nominees as may be required under the Exchange Act.

        The affirmative vote of a plurality of all of the votes cast for and against each nominee at the Annual Meeting will be required to elect each nominee to the Board of Directors.

        Set forth below are the names, principal occupations, committee memberships, ages, directorships held with other companies, and other biographical data for each of the seven nominees for director, as well as the month and year each nominee first began his or her service on the Board of Directors.

        The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR all nominees.

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Nominees for Election as Director

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Summary of Director Qualifications, Skills, Attributes and Experience

        Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the full Board believe a complementary mix of diverse qualifications, skills, attributes and experiences will best serve the Company and its stockholders. The summary of our directors' qualifications, skills, attributes and experiences that appears below, and the related narrative for each director nominee appearing in the directors' biographies above, note some of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills for each director that the Board considers important in determining that each nominee should serve on the Board in light of the Company's business, structure and strategic direction. The absence of a checkmark for a particular skill does not mean the director in question is unable to contribute to the decision making process in that area.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        The Board is committed to corporate governance practices that promote the long term interest of our stockholders. The Board regularly reviews developments in corporate governance and updates the Company's corporate governance framework, including its corporate governance policies and guidelines, as it deems necessary and appropriate. Our policies and practices reflect corporate governance initiatives that comply with the listing requirements of the NYSE American and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. We maintain a corporate governance section on our website, which includes key information about our corporate governance initiatives including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters for the committees of the Board, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. The corporate governance section can be found on our website at www.ashfordinc.com by clicking the "INVESTORS" tab and then the "Corporate Governance" link. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

        Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to each of our directors and officers (including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief operating officer, chief strategy officer, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary (or their respective successors)) and our employees. Among other matters, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

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honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;



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full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our reports filed with the SEC and our other public communications;



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compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;



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prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons identified in the code;



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protection of Company assets, including corporate opportunities and confidential information; and



•

accountability for compliance to the code.

        Any waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board or one of the Board committees and will be promptly disclosed if and to the extent required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Board Leadership Structure

        The Board regularly considers the optimal leadership structure for the Company and its stockholders. In making decisions related to our leadership structure, specifically when determining whether to have a joint chief executive officer and chairman or to separate these offices, the Board considers many factors, including the specific needs of the Company in light of its current strategic initiatives and the best interest of our stockholders.

        Upon the completion of our spin-off from Ashford Trust in November 2014, the Board determined that Mr. Monty J. Bennett was the best candidate to fill the role of Chairman of the Board as well as to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. In making this determination, the Board took into consideration the Company's strategic initiatives, Mr. Monty J. Bennett's expertise in the hospitality industry, which he has developed over the last 25 years, and his superior performance, as evidenced by

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the total stockholder return during Mr. Monty J. Bennett's tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Trust. The Board continues to believe that combining the roles of chairman and chief executive officer at this time is in the best interest of our stockholders and that our current leadership structure provides a very well-functioning and effective balance between strong company leadership and appropriate safeguards and oversight by independent directors.

        The combined role of chairman and chief executive officer is both counterbalanced and enhanced by an independent director serving as the Lead Director. In 2018, the Board re-appointed Mr. Brian Wheeler to serve as the Lead Director for a one year term. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Lead Director has the following duties and responsibilities:

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preside at all executive sessions of the independent or non-employee directors;



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advise the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of decisions reached and suggestions made at meetings of independent directors or non-employee directors;



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serve as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors;



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approve information sent to the Board;



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approve meeting agendas for the Board;



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approve meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;



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authorize the calling of meetings of the independent directors; and



•

if requested by major stockholders, be available for consultation and direct communication.

        In 2018, our independent directors held two meetings or executive sessions.

        In addition, pursuant to our bylaws, the Board must maintain a majority of independent directors at all times, and pursuant our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairman of the Board is not an independent director, at least two-thirds of the directors must be independent. The Board must also comply with each of the conflict of interest policies discussed in "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Conflict of Interest Policies." Our Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit hedging or pledging of any stock held by our directors or officers. Our bylaws, Corporate Governance Guidelines and conflict of interest policies are designed to provide a strong and independent board that provides balance to the chief executive officer and chairman positions and ensure independent director input and control over matters involving potential conflicts of interest.

Board Role

        The business and affairs of the Company are managed by or under the direction of the Board in accordance with Maryland law. The Board provides direction to, and oversight of, management of the Company. In addition, the Board establishes the strategic direction of the Company and oversees the performance of the Company's business, management and the employees. The management of the Company is responsible for presenting business objectives, opportunities and/or strategic plans to our Board for review and approval and for implementing the Company's strategic direction and the Board's directives.

Strategy

        The Board recognizes the importance of ensuring that our overall business strategy is designed to create long term value for our stockholders and maintains an active oversight role in formulating, planning and implementing the Company's strategy. The Board regularly considers the progress of and challenges to the Company's strategy and related risks throughout the year. At each regularly scheduled

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board meeting, the management and the Board discuss strategic and other significant business developments since the last meeting and the Board considers, recommends and approves any changes in strategies for the Company.

Risk Oversight

        Our full Board has ultimate responsibility for risk oversight, but the committees of the Board help oversee risk in areas over which they have responsibility. The Board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of the Company's business strategy. The Board and the Board committees receive regular updates related to various risks for both our Company and our industry. The Audit Committee regularly receives and discusses reports from members of management who are involved in the risk assessment and risk management functions of the Company. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the overall structure of our equity compensation programs to ensure that those programs do not encourage executives to take unnecessary or excessive risks.

Succession Planning

        The Board, acting through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has reviewed and concurred in a management succession plan, developed by our Chairman, to ensure continuity in senior management. This plan, on which our Chief Executive Officer is to report from time to time, addresses:

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emergency Chief Executive Officer succession;



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Chief Executive Officer succession in the ordinary course of business; and



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succession for the other members of senior management.

        The plan also includes an assessment of senior management experience, performance, skills and planned career paths.

Board Refreshment

        In addition to ensuring the Board reflects an appropriate mix of experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also focuses on director succession and tenure. For example, our bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that individuals who would be 70 years of age at the time of their election may not serve on the Board unless the Board waives such limitation. Upon attaining age 70 while serving as a director of the Company and annually thereafter, an individual must tender a letter of proposed retirement from the Board effective at the expiration of such individual's current term, and the Board may accept the retirement of the director or request such director to continue to serve as a director. That limitation has been waived for Mr. W. Michael Murphy in connection with his election as director at the Annual Meeting and his service as director until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2020.

        In 2017, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and our full board nominated, Ms. Uno Immanivong to serve as a director. Ms. Immanivong was elected by our stockholders in our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, resulting in lower average tenure, younger average age, and broadened gender and racial diversity of background for the Board. In 2018, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended, and our full board approved, the appointment of Mr. Murphy, resulting in a greater level of experience for the Board in the real estate sector, particularly through Mr. Murphy's previous service on the board of directors of both Ashford Trust and Braemar.

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Director Nomination Procedures by the Company

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends qualified candidates for Board membership based on the following criteria:

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integrity, experience, achievements, judgment, intelligence, competence, personal character, expertise, skills, knowledge useful to the oversight of the Company's business, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties and likelihood of a sustained period of service on the Board;



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business or other relevant experience; and



•

the extent to which the interplay of the candidate's expertise, skills, knowledge and experience with that of other Board members will build a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of the Company.

        In connection with the merit-based selection of nominees for director, the Board has regard for the need to consider director candidates from different and diverse backgrounds, including sex, race, color, ethnicity, age and geography. Consideration will also be given to the Board's desire for an overall balance of professional diversity, including background, experience, perspective, viewpoint, education and skills. The Board, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is responsible for selecting the director nominees for election by the stockholders and for appointing directors to the Board between annual meetings to fill vacancies, with primary emphasis on the criteria set forth above. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assess the effectiveness of the Board's diversity efforts as part of the annual Board evaluation process.

Stockholder Nominations

        Our bylaws permit stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors of the Company at an annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholders wishing to nominate director candidates can do so by providing a written notice to the Corporate Secretary, Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254. Stockholder nomination notices and the accompanying certificate, as described below, must be received by the Corporate Secretary not earlier than December 3, 2019 and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on January 2, 2020 for the nominated individuals to be considered for candidacy at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Such nomination notices must include all information regarding the proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the proposed nominee as a director in an election contest pursuant to the SEC's proxy rules under the Exchange Act as well as certain other information regarding the proposed nominee, the stockholder nominating such proposed nominee and certain persons associated with such stockholder, and must be accompanied by a certificate of the nominating stockholder as to certain matters, all as prescribed in the Company's bylaws. A detailed description of the information required to be included in such notice and the accompanying certificate is included in the Company's bylaws. You may contact the Corporate Secretary at the address above to obtain a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder nominations.

        Failure of the notice and certificate to comply fully with the requirements of the Company's bylaws in such regard will result in the stockholder nomination being invalid and the election of the proposed nominee as a director of the Company not being voted on at the pertinent annual meeting of stockholders.

        On December 15, 2016, the board adopted and approved an amendment to our bylaws that modified the advance notice procedures to require that only stockholders that have owned at least 1% of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least one year may nominate director candidates

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and propose other business to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders. The amendment was previously approved by our stockholders at our annual meeting held on May 13, 2015.

Stockholder and Interested Party Communication with the Board of Directors

        Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to contact any of our directors either individually or as a group may do so by writing to them c/o the Corporate Secretary, Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254. Stockholders' and other interested parties' letters are reviewed by company personnel based on criteria established and maintained by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which includes filtering out improper or irrelevant topics such as solicitations.

Director Orientation and Continuing Education

        The Board and senior management conduct a comprehensive orientation process for new directors to become familiar with our vision, strategic direction, core values, including ethics, financial matters, corporate governance policies and practices and other key policies and practices through a review of background material and meetings with senior management. The Board also recognizes the importance of continuing education for directors and is committed to providing education opportunities in order to improve both the Board's and its committees' performance. Senior management will assist in identifying and advising our directors about opportunities for continuing education, including conferences provided by independent third parties.

Director Retirement Policy

        Upon attaining the age of 70 and annually thereafter, as well as when a director's principal occupation or business association changes substantially from the position he or she held when originally invited to join the Board, a director will tender a letter of proposed retirement or resignation, as applicable, from the Board to the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review the director's continuation on the Board, and recommend to the board whether, in light of all the circumstances, the Board should accept such proposed resignation or request that the director continue to serve.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

        Our business is managed through the oversight and direction of the Board. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Lead Director and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees.

        During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Board held four regular meetings, four special meetings and two meetings or executive sessions of our non-employee directors, each of whom is an independent director. Our Board must hold at least two regularly scheduled meetings per year of the non-employee directors without management present. All of our incumbent directors standing for re-election attended, in person or by telephone, at least 75% of all meetings of the Board and committees on which such director served, held during the period for which such person was a director or was a member of such committees, as applicable.

        Mr. Monty J. Bennett serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Remington and as the Chairman of the board of directors of each of Braemar and Ashford Trust. Because of the conflicts of interest created by the relationships among us, Ashford Trust, Braemar, Remington and each of their affiliates, many of the responsibilities of the Board have been delegated to our independent directors, as discussed below and under "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Conflict of Interest Policies."

Board Member Independence

        The Board determines the independence of our directors in accordance with Section 803A of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide and in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The NYSE American LLC Company Guide requires an affirmative determination by the Board that the director does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Moreover, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that if any director receives, during any 12-month period within the last three years, more than $120,000 in compensation from the Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, exclusive of director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation, he or she will not be considered independent. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines also provide that at all times that the chairman of the Board is not an independent director, at least two-thirds of the members of the Board should consist of independent directors. The full text of Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.ashfordinc.com by clicking the "INVESTORS" tab, then the "Corporate Governance" link, then the "Governance Documents" link, and then the "Corporate Governance Guidelines" link. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

        Following deliberations, the Board has affirmatively determined that, with the exception of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Mr. J. Robison Hays, III, our Co-President and Chief Strategy Officer, each director of the Company is independent of the Company and its management under the standards set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE American LLC Company Guide.

        In making the independence determinations with respect to our current directors, the Board examined all relationships between each of our directors or their affiliates and the Company or its affiliates, including those reported below under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions" in this proxy statement and one additional relationship that did not rise to the level of a reportable related person transaction but were taken into consideration by the Board in making independence determinations. Mr. Wheeler's wife owns a commercial printing company that is occasionally utilized by the Company, Ashford Trust and Braemar for printing needs. Total fees paid to

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this company by the Company, Ashford Trust and Braemar were $74,129, $64,397 and $95,614 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Board determined that these transactions did not impair the independence of the director involved. As a result of such analysis and independence determinations, the Board is comprised of a majority of independent directors, as required by Section 803A of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. Any reference to an independent director herein means such director satisfies the independence criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE American LLC Company Guide.

Board Committee and Meetings

        Historically, the standing committees of the Board have been the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees is composed exclusively of independent directors. The independence of the members of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee is determined in accordance with the heightened independence standards for membership on such committees of the rules of the NYSE American and applicable rules of the SEC. Each of the committees is governed by a written charter that has been approved by the Board. A copy of each charter can be found in the Investor section of our website at www.ashfordinc.com by clicking the "INVESTORS" tab, then the "Corporate Governance" link and then the "Governance Documents" link. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. The committee members who currently serve on each active committee and a description of the principal responsibilities of each such committee follows:

Current Committee Membership

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Audit Committee

        The Board has determined that Dinesh P. Chandiramani qualifies as an "Audit Committee financial expert," as defined by the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act. All of the members of

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our Audit Committee on and after January 1, 2018 are "financially sophisticated" under the rules of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide.

Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to assist it in the evaluation of officer compensation, or to delegate its duties and responsibilities to one or more subcommittees as it deems appropriate. In 2018, the Compensation Committee retained Gressle & McGinley LLC ("Gressle & McGinley") as its independent compensation consultant. Gressle & McGinley provided competitive market data to support the Compensation Committee's decisions on the value of equity to be awarded to our named executive officers. Gressle & McGinley has not performed any other services for the Company and performed its services only on behalf of, and at the direction of, the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee reviewed the independence of Gressle & McGinley in light of SEC rules and the NYSE American LLC Company Guide regarding compensation consultant independence and has affirmatively concluded that

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Gressle & McGinley is independent from management of the Company and has no conflicts of interest relating to its engagement by our Compensation Committee. Messrs. Dinesh P. Chandiramani, Darrell T. Hail and Brian Wheeler served as members of the Compensation Committee at all times during 2018.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidate.

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Director Compensation

        Each of our non-employee directors is paid an annual base retainer of $150,000, payable 50% in cash and 50% in common stock of the Company. Non-employee directors serving in the following capacities also receive the additional annual cash retainers set forth below:

        Our non-employee directors may also be eligible for additional cash retainers from time to time for their service on special committees. We do not pay Board meeting fees to any of our directors (although per meeting fees for service on special committees may be paid). Officers receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board. All directors are also reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their services on the Board.

        Our 2014 Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock to non-employee directors. On the date of the first meeting of the Board following each annual meeting of stockholders at which a non-employee director is initially elected or re-elected to the Board, each non-employee director receives the common stock portion of his or her annual base retainer in the form of a grant of shares of our common stock valued at $75,000 as of the date of grant. These stock grants are fully vested immediately. In accordance with this policy, we granted 1,040 shares of fully vested common stock to each of our non-employee directors (other than Mr. Murphy) on June 15, 2018. Mr. Murphy received a prorated grant of 344 shares of common stock on August 8, 2018 for his 2018 Board service.

        Each of our non-employee directors must hold an amount of common stock having a value in excess of three times his or her annual board retainer fee (excluding any portion of the retainer fee representing additional compensation for being a Committee chair). The following table summarizes the compensation paid by us to our non-employee directors for their services as director for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        During 2018, Messrs. Chandiramani, Hail and Wheeler, each of whom is an independent director, served on our Compensation Committee. None of these directors is or has ever been an officer or employee of our Company. None of our executive officers serves, or during 2018 served, as (i) a member of a Compensation Committee (or Board committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director on the Board or as a member of our Compensation Committee, or (ii) a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served or serves on our Compensation Committee. No member of our Compensation Committee has or had in 2018 any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure as a related person transaction in the section "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions" of this proxy statement.

Attendance at Annual Meeting of Stockholders

        In keeping with our corporate governance principles, directors of the Company are expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders in person. All persons who were directors at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders attended our 2018 annual meeting in person.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION

Executive Officers

        The following table shows the names and ages of our current executive officers and the positions held by each individual. A description of the business experience of each for the past five years follows the table.

 

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        Our Executive Officers are not appointed to serve for any specific term, but serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Executive Compensation

        We are a leading provider of asset management and other services to companies within the hospitality industry. Currently, we serve as the advisor to two NYSE-listed real estate investment trusts, namely Ashford Trust and Braemar. Combined, Ashford Trust and Braemar currently have a combined hotel portfolio of 134 hotels with approximately 29,000 net rooms and approximately $8.0 billion in gross assets. The Company also holds investments in and controlling stakes in various enterprises that provide products and services to the lodging industry.

        In our capacity as the advisor to Ashford Trust and Braemar, we are responsible for implementing the investment strategies and managing the day-to-day operations of Ashford Trust and Braemar, in each case subject to the supervision and oversight of the respective board of directors of such entity. We provide the personnel and services necessary to allow each of Ashford Trust and Braemar to conduct its respective business. Ashford Trust and Braemar have no employees and all of their respective executive officers are employees of Ashford LLC, our subsidiary. We receive fees and reimbursement of certain expenses from each of Ashford Trust and Braemar for providing such services, the proceeds of which are used in part to pay compensation to our personnel, but Ashford

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Trust and Braemar do not specifically reimburse us for any executive employee compensation or benefits costs and the amount of our fees does not vary based on the amount of such executive compensation and benefits costs.

Compensation Approach

        The compensation program balances three important objectives:

•

provide adequate compensation to attract and retain talented employees;



•

provide strong incentives for management to craft and execute a value-creating growth strategy; and



•

manage the compensation program in a way that the cost to stockholders is appropriate for the performance achieved.

        Our program has three components:

•

salary, which is set at competitive levels to attract required talent;



•

annual cash bonus plan, which rewards management for meeting the Company's annual business objectives; and



•

long-term equity incentive plan, which rewards management for the effective execution of a long-term growth strategy and an incentive to remain committed to the long-term success of the organization.

        All three components are designed to allow us to compete for and retain the services of the persons needed for the growth and success of the Company.

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Summary Compensation Table

        The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by our named executive officers in fiscal years 2018 and 2017 (or, in the case of Messrs. Hays, Welter, and Eubanks, for fiscal year 2018, the first year that they became named executive officers):

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

        The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards for each of our named executive officers as of December 31, 2018:

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Employment Agreements

        We have or, in the case of Mr. Brooks, had, employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The current terms of our employment agreements with our named executive officers (other than Mr. Brooks) expire on December 31, 2019, but each agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals, unless either party to the applicable employment agreement provides at least 120 days' notice of non-renewal of such employment agreement. Mr. Brooks' employment agreement terminated upon his death.

        The employment agreements for each of our named executive officers provided for in 2018:

•

an annual base salary of $950,000 for Mr. Monty J. Bennett, $725,000 for Mr. Kessler, $550,000 for Mr. Brooks, and $525,000 for each of Messrs. Hays, Welter, and Eubanks, subject to annual increases;



•

eligibility for annual cash performance bonuses under our incentive bonus plans, based on a targeted bonus range for each officer as described below;



•

participation in other short- and long-term incentive, savings, and retirement plans applicable to our senior executives; and



•

medical and other group welfare plan coverage applicable to our senior executives.

        Additionally, the named executive officers of the Company have the following additional benefits:

•

director's and officer's liability insurance coverage;



•

payment for an annual executive medical exam conducted at UCLA Medical Center; and



•

additional disability and life insurance policies available only to our senior executives.

        The cumulative cost of the medical exam and the additional disability and life insurance is not expected to exceed $10,000 annually for any individual executive.

        Mr. Monty J. Bennett's targeted annual cash bonus range is 100% to 250% of his base salary. Mr. Kessler's targeted annual cash bonus range is 75% to 175% of his base salary. Mr. Brooks' targeted annual cash bonus range was 75% to 200% of his base salary. Messrs. Hays', Welter's, and Eubanks' targeted annual cash bonus range is 60% to 175% of base salary.

2014 Incentive Plan

        Our 2014 Incentive Plan provides for both equity and cash-based incentive compensation and for the grant of incentive awards to employees, consultants, and non-employee directors of our Company and its affiliates. The 2014 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.

Material Terms of Our 2014 Incentive Plan

        Our 2014 Incentive Plan authorizes (i) a plan participant to purchase common stock of the Company for cash at a purchase price to be decided by the Compensation Committee, but not more than the fair market value per share of such common stock purchased on the date of such purchase, and (ii) the grant of:

•

nonqualified stock options to purchase common stock;



•

incentive options to purchase common stock;



•

unrestricted stock;



•

restricted stock;

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•

phantom stock;



•

stock appreciation rights; and



•

other stock or cash-based awards (including performance-based awards).

        Shares Subject to Our 2014 Incentive Plan.    We initially reserved 420,000 shares of common stock for issuance under our 2014 Incentive Plan, which is equivalent to approximately 15% of the sum of (i) the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately following our spin-off from Ashford Trust in November 2014 and (ii) the shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the deferred compensation obligations we assumed in connection with the spin-off. In the event the outstanding shares of common stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the company by reason of a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or the like, the aggregate number and class of securities available under our 2014 Incentive Plan will be ratably adjusted. In the event the number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise or payment of any award granted under the 2014 Incentive Plan is reduced for any reason whatsoever, including any optional forfeitures for the payment of taxes, or in the event any award granted under our 2014 Incentive Plan can no longer under any circumstances be exercised or paid, the number of shares no longer subject to such award will be released from such award and be available under the 2014 Incentive Plan for the grant of additional awards.

        The 2014 Incentive Plan contains a provision pursuant to which there is an automatic increase of authorized shares on January 1 of each year equal to 15% of the sum of (i) the fully diluted share count as of January 1 of such year and (ii) the shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the company's deferred compensation plan, less shares available under the 2014 Incentive Plan as of December 31 of the previous year. After application of this provision, as of January 1, 2019, we had 575,333 shares of our common stock available for issuance under our 2014 Incentive Plan.

        Eligibility.    Under the 2014 Incentive Plan, we may grant awards to the employees, consultants, and non-management directors of our company and its affiliates. While we may grant incentive stock options only to employees of the Company or its affiliates, we may grant nonqualified stock options, bonus stock, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, and performance awards to any eligible participant. We have approximately 117 full-time domestic corporate employees, approximately 700 employees at our consolidated subsidiaries, and six non-management directors, all of whom are eligible to participate in the 2014 Incentive Plan.

        Administration.    Our 2014 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee.

        The 2014 Incentive Plan will terminate on November 12, 2024, and no new awards may be granted after the termination date. Awards made before the termination of our 2014 Incentive Plan will continue in accordance with their terms.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation Awards

        Cash bonuses are set by the Compensation Committee based upon the achievement of strategic and financial objectives set at the beginning of the year by the Board. In 2018, the objectives included relative total stockholder return, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA, new services, increased assets under management with respect to Ashford Trust and Braemar, and increased exposure to the investment and analyst communities. The Compensation Committee selected seven metrics, assigned weights to each, and set performance targets for threshold, target, and maximum bonus levels, with interpolation for performance between the threshold, target, and maximum levels, as shown in the table below.

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        In 2018, the named executive officers met or exceeded the maximum performance target for all but one of the measures as shown in the table below. As a result, each executive earned a bonus for 2018 at a level equal to 90% of their maximum potential. Mr. Brooks' bonus for 2018 was prorated based on the number of days of he was employed by us in 2018 in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement.

Tax Considerations

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally precludes a publicly held corporation from a federal income tax deduction for a taxable year for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to its "covered employees," which generally include its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, its next three most highly compensated executive officers, and any individual who is (or was) a "covered employee" for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2016.

        Our company is structured such that compensation is not paid and deducted by the corporation, but at the lower-level operating partnership, which also serves as the employer of our employees. The IRS has previously issued a private letter ruling holding that in the event that a publicly held corporation's covered employees receive compensation from a partnership in which such corporation

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has an ownership interest for services performed to such partnership, Section 162(m) of the Code does not apply to either the partnership, for compensation paid to the covered employee, or to the corporation, for its share of income or loss from the partnership that includes compensation expenses allocable to the covered employee. Consistent with that ruling, we have taken a position that compensation expense paid and incurred at the operating partnership level is not subject to the Section 162(m) of the Code limit. As private letter rulings are applicable only for the taxpayer who obtains the ruling, and we have not obtained a private letter ruling addressing this issue, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge our position that Section 162(m) of the Code does not apply to compensation paid at the operating partnership level.

        While the tax impact of any compensation arrangement is one factor to be considered, such impact is evaluated in light of the compensation committee's overall compensation philosophy and objectives.

Deferred Compensation Plan

        In 2007, Ashford Trust implemented a deferred compensation plan which allowed its executives and directors, at their election, to defer portions of their compensation. We assumed the plan in connection with our spin-off from Ashford Trust. Mr. Monty J. Bennett is the only named executive officer that has participated in this plan. On the spin-off date, we assumed a liability of $16,956,712 in connection with Mr. Monty J. Bennett's portion of the deferred compensation plan. No additional compensation has been deferred under the amended and restated plan following the spin-off.

        Pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated plan, Mr. Monty J. Bennett elected to invest his deferred compensation amounts in our common stock. As a result of this election, we have agreed to issue Mr. Monty J. Bennett 195,579 shares of our common stock to satisfy the assumed deferred compensation obligation, and such shares will be issued beginning when the applicable deferral periods expire. We are currently obligated to begin payment of the deferred compensation obligations (and issuance of shares of our common stock) to Mr. Monty J. Bennett over a five-year period that will begin in 2021. Such shares will be issued in equal quarterly installments of 9,779 shares per installment beginning in the first quarter of 2021, absent a subsequent deferral election by Mr. Monty J. Bennett.

        Prior to our assumption and amendment of the deferred compensation plan in November 2014, Ashford Trust paid deferred compensation plan participants who elected the company stock investment option dividend equivalents, which accrued as additional shares, if and to the extent Ashford Trust paid dividends on its common stock. Thereby, each executive who participated in the deferred compensation plan and elected the company stock investment option received his investment shares plus any related dividend equivalent shares at the time that distributions were made from the plan subject to applicable rules and limitations. After our assumption and amendment of the deferred compensation plan in November 2014, deferred compensation plan participants may elect our common stock as an investment option, and we will continue to make such dividend equivalent payments in shares of our common stock to the extent we pay dividends and deferred compensation plan participants elect common stock as the investment option.

Compensation Risk Assessment

        The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for overseeing the risks relating to our compensation policies and practices. The committee uses its independent compensation consultant, Gressle & McGinley, to independently consider and analyze the extent, if any, to which our compensation policies and practices might create risks for the Company, as well as policies and practices that could mitigate any risks. After conducting this review in early 2018, the Compensation Committee has determined that none of our compensation policies and practices create any risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company.

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        Our Compensation Committee has reviewed the independence of Gressle & McGinley in light of SEC rules and NYSE listing standards regarding compensation consultant independence and has affirmatively concluded that Gressle & McGinley is independent from the Company and has no conflicts of interest relating to its engagement by our Compensation Committee.

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control

        We have employment agreements with each of our named executive officers, some of which were approved while the Company was a controlled subsidiary of Ashford Trust prior to the spin-off. Under the terms of the employment agreements, each of our named executive officers is entitled to receive certain severance benefits after termination of employment. The amount and nature of these benefits vary depending on the circumstances under which employment terminates. The employment agreements provide for certain specified benefits during the entire term of the employment agreement.

        Each of the employment agreements of our named executive officers provides that, if the executive's employment is terminated as a result of death or disability of the executive; by us without "cause" (including non-renewal of the agreement by us); by the executive for "good reason"; or a termination by us without "cause" or by the executive for "good reason" (or, in the case of Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler, for any reason) within 1 year following a "change of control" (each as defined in the applicable employment agreement), the executive will be entitled to accrued and unpaid salary to the date of such termination, pay for unused vacation, and any unpaid incentive bonus from the prior year plus the following severance payments and benefits, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims:

•

a lump-sum cash severance payment (more fully described below);



•

pro-rated payment of the incentive bonus for the year of termination (based on actual performance), payable at the time incentive bonuses are paid to the remaining senior executives for the year in which the termination occurs;



•

all restricted equity securities held by such executive will become fully vested; provided however, for all executives other than Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler, if a change of control occurs and the executive's employment is terminated by the executive without "good reason," only unvested restricted equity securities awarded prior to September 13, 2017 will become fully vested and the unvested restricted equity securities awarded on or after September 13, 2017 will be forfeited; and



•

health benefits for 36 months following the termination of employment of Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler, or 24 months following the termination of employment of the other executives, and life and disability benefits for 36 months following the termination of employment of Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler, or 24 months following the termination of employment of the other executives, in each case at the same level of benefit as in effect immediately preceding such termination, subject to reduction to the extent that the executive receives comparable benefits from a subsequent employer (other than a Remington affiliate for Mr. Monty J. Bennett), payable by the Company over the period of coverage.

        The lump sum severance payment payable upon termination of an executive's employment agreement in any of the circumstances described above is calculated as the sum of such executive's then-current annual base salary plus his average bonus over the prior three years, multiplied by a severance multiplier. The severance multiplier is:

•

one for all executives in the event of termination as a result of death or disability of the executive;

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•

two for all executives other than Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler and three for Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler in the event of a termination by us without "cause" (including non-renewal of the agreement) or termination by the executive for "good reason";



•

three for Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and Kessler in the event of termination by the Company without "cause" or by the executive for any reason within one year following a change in control.

        If Messrs. Hays, Welter, or Eubanks terminate their employment without "good reason" within one year following a "change in control," none of them would be entitled to the severance benefits described above, other than pro-rated payment of the incentive bonus for the year of termination, benefit continuation, and the limited acceleration of restricted equity securities awarded prior to September 13, 2017, each as described above.

        Additionally, the employment agreements for each of the named executive officers includes non-compete provisions as described below, and in the event the executive elects to end his employment with us without "good reason," in exchange for the executive honoring his non-compete provisions, he will be entitled to the following additional payments:

•

health benefits for the duration of the executive's non-compete period following the executive's termination of employment at the same level of benefit as in effect immediately preceding such termination, subject to reduction to the extent that the executive receives comparable benefits from a subsequent employer; and



•

a non-compete payment equal to the sum of his then-current annual base salary plus average bonus over the prior three years, paid equally over the twelve-month period immediately following the executive's termination.

        If any named executive officer's employment agreement is terminated by the Company for "cause" (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) the executive will be entitled solely to any accrued and unpaid salary to the date of such termination and any unpaid incentive bonus from the prior year.

        Each of the employment agreements contain standard confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-interference provisions. The confidentiality provisions apply during the term of the employment agreement and at all times thereafter. The non-interference provisions apply during the term of the employment agreement. The non-solicitation and non-competition provisions apply during the term of the agreement, and for a period of one year following the termination of the executive. The non-compete provisions of Mr. Monty J. Bennett's employment agreement specifically allow Mr. Monty J. Bennett to engage in certain potentially competitive activities consistent with his positions at Remington and consistent with the mutual exclusivity agreement between Remington and the Company.

        Additionally, in the event of an executive's termination for any reason, all deferred compensation amounts payable under our deferred compensation plan become due and payable in a single lump sum payment within 45 days of the termination date.

        Mr. Brooks, a named executive officer of the Company, passed away on March 29, 2018. As a result, we paid to Mr. Brooks' estate a cash payment in accordance with the provisions of the employment agreement between Mr. Brooks and the Company discussed above, which is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table under "All Other Compensation." In addition, all equity awards granted to Mr. Brooks vested immediately upon his passing, and Mr. Brooks' estate also became entitled to receive a $500,000 death benefit under a Company-paid life insurance policy.

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PROPOSAL TWO—RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO USA, LLP AS
OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We are asking our stockholders to ratify our Audit Committee's appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. BDO USA, LLP has audited our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Stockholder ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of BDO USA, LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the company and our stockholders.

        Our Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation, retaining and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee pre approves all audit and non-audit services provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its chairperson when expedition of services is necessary. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee approved all fees paid to BDO USA, LLP since their appointment with no reliance placed on the de minimis exception established by the SEC for approving such services.

Audit Committee Report

        The Audit Committee represents and assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence, the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm, our internal disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal control over financial reporting, and risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee manages our relationship with its independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Audit Committee). The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and receives appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from us for such advice and assistance.

        Our management is primarily responsible for our internal control and financial reporting process. Our independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and issuing opinions on the conformity of those audited financial statements with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee monitors our financial reporting process and reports to the Board on its findings.

        In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

1.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with the Company's management.

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2.

The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under the rules adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB.



3.

The Audit Committee has received from the independent registered public accounting firm the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence.



4.

Based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        The undersigned members of the Audit Committee have submitted this Report to the Board of Directors.

Auditor Fees

        Services provided by BDO USA, LLP included the audits of our annual financial statements and the financial statements of our subsidiaries. Services also included the limited review of unaudited quarterly financial information; review and consultation regarding filings with the SEC and the Internal Revenue Service; and consultation on financial and tax accounting and reporting matters. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, aggregate fees incurred related to our principal accountants, BDO USA, LLP, consisted of the following:

        "Audit Fees" include fees and related expenses for professional services rendered in connection with audits of our annual financial statements and the financial statements of our subsidiaries, reviews of our unaudited quarterly financial information, reporting on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and reviews and consultation regarding financial accounting and reporting matters. This category also includes fees for services that generally only the auditor responsibly can provide, such as statutory audits, comfort letters, consents, and assistance with review of our filings with the SEC.

        "Audit Related Fees" include fees and related 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.

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        "Tax Fees" include fees and related expenses billed for tax compliance services and federal and state tax advice and planning.

        "All Other Fees" include fees and related expenses for products and services that are not Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or Tax Fees.

        Our Audit Committee has considered all fees provided by the independent auditors to us and concluded this involvement is compatible with maintaining the auditors' independence.

        Representatives of BDO USA, LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Additional Information

        Ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent auditors requires the affirmative "FOR" vote of a majority of the votes cast on such proposal. You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN" from voting. Abstentions and broker nonvotes, if any, will not be considered as votes cast under the Company's bylaws, and accordingly will have no effect on the outcome of this Proposal Two. If you provide your proxy with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. In addition, this proposal is considered a routine item, and as such, banks, brokers and other nominees that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners may vote on this proposal in their discretion.

        The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR approval of Proposal Two, the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2019.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

        The following table sets forth certain information as of March 8, 2019 regarding the ownership of our common stock by (i) each person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers (other than our former Chief Transaction Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, who passed away on March 29, 2018) and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. In accordance with SEC rules, each listed person's beneficial ownership includes: (i) all shares the person owns beneficially; (ii) all shares over which the person has or shares voting or dispositive control; and (iii) all shares the person has the right to acquire within 60 days. Except otherwise indicated, each person or entity identified below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. As of March 8, 2019, we had an aggregate of 2,469,457 shares of common stock outstanding and a total of 8,120,000 shares of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock") outstanding (which shares are convertible, in the aggregate, into 1,450,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate). Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the business address of the stockholders listed below is the address of our principal executive office, 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254.

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        To our knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2018, all of our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock were in compliance with the Section 16(a) filing requirements, except that Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. did not file two reports covering three transactions, but reported the transactions in his year-end report on Form 5, which was timely filed; and Mr. Monty J. Bennett did not file one report relating to one transaction, but reported the transaction in his year-end report on Form 5, which was timely filed.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

        This section of the proxy statement describes certain relationships and related person transactions we have that could give rise to conflicts of interest. A "related transaction" is any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, since the beginning of our last fiscal year or currently proposed, in which: (i) our Company was or is to be a participant, (ii) the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and (iii) any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

        A "related person" means: (i) any director, director nominee or executive officer of the Company, (ii) any person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of its outstanding voting stock at the time of the transaction, (iii) any immediate family member of either of the foregoing or (iv) a firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has at least a 10% equity interest.

Conflict of Interest Policies

        We take conflicts of interest seriously and aim to ensure that transactions involving conflicts or potential conflicts are thoroughly examined and only approved by independent board members.

        Because we could be subject to various conflicts of interest arising from our relationships with Ashford Trust, Braemar, Remington, their respective affiliates and other parties, to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest, we have adopted a number of conflict of interest policies. As described above under "Corporate Governance—Board Leadership Structure," our bylaws require that, at all times, a majority of the Board be independent directors and our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that two-thirds of the board be independent directors at all times that we do not have an independent chairman.

        Our Corporate Governance Guidelines also provide that, in order to mitigate potential conflicts of interest, any waiver, consent, approval, modification, enforcement, or elections which the Company may make pursuant to any agreement between the Company, on the one hand, and any of the following entities, on the other hand, shall be within the exclusive discretion and control of a majority of the independent directors: (a) Braemar or any of its subsidiaries; (b) Ashford Trust or any of its subsidiaries; (c) Remington, any of its subsidiaries, or any other entity controlled by Mr. Monty J. Bennett and/or Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr.; and (d) any other entity advised by us or our subsidiaries.

        Additionally, our Board has adopted our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which includes a policy for review of any transactions in which an individual's private interests may interfere or conflict in any way with the interests of the Company. Pursuant to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, employees must report any actual or potential conflict of interest involving themselves or others to our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Directors must make such report to our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary or the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Officers must make such report to the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

        Finally, our directors also are subject to provisions of Maryland law that address transactions between Maryland corporations and our directors or other entities in which our directors have a material financial interest. Such transactions may be voidable under Maryland law, unless certain safe harbors are met. Our charter contains a requirement, consistent with one such safe harbor, that any transaction or agreement involving us, any of our wholly-owned subsidiaries or Ashford LLC, on the one hand, and a director or officer or an affiliate or associate of any director or officer or an entity in which a director or officer is a director or officer or has a financial interest, on the other hand, requires the approval of a majority of disinterested directors.

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Our Relationship and Agreements with Ashford Trust and Braemar

        Ashford Trust and Braemar are significant stockholders in our Company. As of March 8, 2019, Ashford Trust beneficially owned 598,163 shares of our common stock, equal to 24.2% of our common stock outstanding. As of March 8, 2019, Braemar beneficially owned 194,880 shares of our common stock, equal to 7.9% of our common stock outstanding. We, through our operating subsidiary, Ashford LLC, advise Ashford Trust and Braemar in the management of their investments and day-to-day operations, subject to the supervision and oversight of the respective board of directors of such entities, pursuant to advisory agreements executed between Ashford LLC and each of Ashford Trust and Braemar. We may also perform similar services for new or existing platforms created by us, Ashford Trust or Braemar. In addition, we and our subsidiaries have entered into other agreements with Ashford Trust and Braemar, which are described below.

        All of our executive officers are executive officers of Ashford Trust (with the exception of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer, who is not an executive officer of Ashford Trust), and we have one common director with Ashford Trust, Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Chairman of our Board of Directors and Chairman of the board of directors of Ashford Trust. As of March 8, 2019, our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members (including Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., who is Mr. Monty J. Bennett's father) collectively may be deemed to beneficially own 17,183,008 shares of Ashford Trust's common stock. In accordance with SEC rules, our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 15.1% of Ashford Trust's common stock.

        Our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members will benefit, as stockholders of Ashford Trust, to the extent we make payments or give other benefits to Ashford Trust or its subsidiaries pursuant to the arrangements described below.

        All of our executive officers are executive officers of Braemar (with the exception of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Douglas A. Kessler, our Senior Managing Director, neither of whom is an executive officer of Braemar) and we have one common director with Braemar, Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Chairman of our Board of Directors and Chairman of the board of directors of Braemar. As of March 8, 2019, our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members (including Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., who is Mr. Monty J. Bennett's father) collectively may be deemed to beneficially own 4,116,674 shares of Braemar's common stock. In accordance with SEC rules, our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 11.5% of Braemar's common stock.

        Our directors and executive officers and their immediate family members will benefit, as stockholders of Braemar, to the extent we make payments or give other benefits to Braemar or its subsidiaries pursuant to the arrangements described below.

Agreements Relating to Ashford Trust

Advisory Agreement with Ashford Trust

        Our advisory agreement with Ashford Trust has an initial 10-year term that expires on June 10, 2025 and is automatically renewed for successive five-year terms after its expiration unless terminated either by us or Ashford Trust, as applicable. We are entitled to receive from Ashford Trust, on a monthly basis, an annual base fee, in an amount equal to 1/12^th of (i) 0.70% or less of Ashford Trust's total market capitalization plus (ii) a net asset fee adjustment (as described below), subject to a minimum monthly fee. The net asset fee adjustment is an amount equal to (i) the product of the Sold Non-ERFP Asset Amount (as more particularly defined in the advisory agreement, but generally equal to the net sales prices of real property (other than any hotel assets purchased pursuant to the enhanced return funding program described below) sold or disposed of after the date of the Enhanced Return

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Funding Program Agreement, commencing with and including the first such sale) and 0.70% plus (ii) the product of the Sold ERFP Asset Amount (as more particularly defined in the advisory agreement, but generally equal to the net sales prices of hotel assets purchased pursuant to the enhanced return funding program described below and then sold or disposed of by Ashford Trust after the date of the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, commencing with an including the first such sale) and 1.07%. As a result of these provisions, in the event that Ashford Trust disposes of hotel properties in the future, we will continue to receive advisory fees from Ashford Trust in respect of hotel properties that it has sold. We are also entitled to receive an incentive fee from Ashford Trust based on its out-performance, as measured by total annual stockholder return, as compared to Ashford Trust's defined peer group. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we earned a base fee of $35.5 million and an incentive fee of $1.8 million.

        In addition, we are entitled to receive directly or be reimbursed, on a monthly basis, for all expenses paid or incurred by us or our affiliates on behalf of Ashford Trust or in connection with the services provided by us pursuant to our advisory agreement with Ashford Trust, which includes Ashford Trust's pro rata share of our office overhead and administrative expenses incurred in providing our duties under the advisory agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we were reimbursed for expenses paid or incurred on behalf of Ashford Trust totaling approximately $7.9 million.

        The board of directors of Ashford Trust also has the authority to make annual equity awards to us or directly to our employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors, based on the achievement by Ashford Trust of certain financial and other hurdles established by its boards of directors. In March 2018, Ashford Trust awarded equity grants of its common stock, LTIP units, performance stock units, and performance LTIP units to executives valued at approximately $12.1 million and common equity grants of its common stock and LTIP units valued at approximately $3.2 million to our non-executive employees.

        We are also entitled to receive a termination fee from Ashford Trust under certain circumstances upon the termination of our advisory agreement, and upon certain events that would if consummated result in a change of control of Ashford Trust, to escrow funds that belong to Ashford Trust to secure its obligation to pay the termination fee. In the event the termination fee is payable under our advisory agreement, Ashford Trust will be required to pay us or our subsidiaries a termination fee equal to: (a) 1.1 multiplied by the greater of (i) 12 times the net earnings of the Company for the 12 month period preceding the termination date of the advisory agreement; (ii) the earnings multiple (calculated as our total enterprise value on the trading day immediately preceding the day the termination notice is given to us divided by our most recently reported adjusted EBITDA) for our common stock for the 12 month period preceding the termination date of the advisory agreement multiplied by the net earnings of the Company for the 12 month period preceding the termination date of the advisory agreement; or (iii) the simple average of the earnings multiples for each of the three fiscal years preceding the termination of the advisory agreement (calculated as our total enterprise value on the last trading day of each of the three preceding fiscal years divided by, in each case, our adjusted EBITDA for the same periods), multiplied by the net earnings of the Company for the 12 month period preceding the termination date of the advisory agreement; plus (b) an additional amount such that the total net amount received by the Company after the reduction by state and federal income taxes at an assumed combined rate of 40% on the sum of the amounts described in (a) and (b) shall equal the amount described in (a).

Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement with Ashford Trust

        On June 26, 2018, we entered into the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement with Ashford Trust. The independent members of our Board and the independent directors of the board of directors of Ashford Trust, with the assistance of separate and independent legal counsel, engaged to negotiate the

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Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement on our behalf and Ashford Trust's behalf, respectively. Under the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, we agreed to provide $50 million to Ashford Trust in connection with its acquisition of hotels recommended by us, with the option to increase the funding commitment to up to $100 million upon mutual agreement by the parties. We are obligated to provide Ashford Trust 10% of the acquired hotel's purchase price in exchange for FF&E, which is subsequently leased to Ashford Trust rent-free. In connection with Ashford Trust's acquisition of the Hilton Old Town Alexandria and La Posada de Santa Fe in 2018, and subject to the terms of the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, we were obligated to provide Ashford Trust with approximately $16.1 million in exchange for FF&E at Ashford Trust's properties. The $16.1 million of FF&E in respect of the Hilton Old Town Alexandria and La Posada de Santa Fe acquisitions was purchased by us and leased to Ashford Trust with an effective date of December 31, 2018. In connection with Ashford Trust's acquisitions of the Embassy Suites New York Midtown Manhattan on January 23, 2019 and the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley on February 26, 2019, we are also obligated to provide Ashford Trust with approximately $19.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively in exchange for FF&E at Ashford Trust's properties. As a result of the acquisitions of the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, La Posada de Santa Fe, the Embassy Suites New York Midtown Manhattan and the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, we have a remaining commitment to provide approximately $9.4 million in ERFP fundings to Ashford Trust in respect of our initial $50 million commitment.

Project Management Agreement with Ashford Trust

        In connection with our August 8, 2018 acquisition of Remington's project management business, Premier, our indirect subsidiary, entered into a project management agreement with Ashford Trust, pursuant to which Premier provides project management services to Ashford Trust's hotels, including construction management, interior design, architectural services, and the purchasing, freight management, and supervision of installation of FF&E and related services. From and after August 8, 2018, pursuant to the project management agreement, Ashford Trust paid Premier: (a) project management fees of up to 4% of project costs; and (b) market service fees at current market rates with respect to construction management, interior design, architectural services, FF&E purchasing, FF&E expediting/freight management, FF&E warehousing, and FF&E installation and supervision. The amount of project management and market service fees paid by Ashford Trust to Premier from August 8, 2018 to December 31, 2018 was approximately $7.1 million.

Project Management Mutual Exclusivity Agreement with Ashford Trust and AHLP

        Also, in connection with our August 8, 2018 acquisition of Remington's project management business, Premier entered into a mutual exclusivity agreement with Ashford Trust and AHLP, its operating partnership, pursuant to which Ashford Trust has agreed to hire Premier or its affiliates for the development and construction, capital improvement, refurbishment, and/or project management or other services in connection with any acquisition or investment by Ashford Trust in a hotel, unless Ashford Trust's independent directors either (i) unanimously vote not to engage Premier, or (ii) based on special circumstances or past performance, by a majority vote elect not to engage Premier because they have determined, in their reasonable business judgment, that it would be in Ashford Trust's best interest not to engage Premier or that another manager or developer could perform the duties materially better. Pursuant to the mutual exclusivity agreement, Ashford Trust has a first right of refusal to purchase lodging investments identified by Premier and any of its affiliates that meet Ashford Trust's investment criteria.

AIM Agreement with Ashford Trust

        Effective January 19, 2017, Ashford Trust entered into an agreement with Ashford Investment Management, LLC ("AIM"), our indirect subsidiary, pursuant to which AIM manages all or a portion

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of Ashford Trust's excess available cash. Ashford Trust reimburses us for the costs of implementing such cash management strategy, which, during 2018, totaled approximately $1.2 million. As of December 31, 2018, AIM managed approximately $124 million under this arrangement.

Chairman Emeritus Stipend

        As previously disclosed, we pay for the costs associated with Ashford Trust's Chairman Emeritus, which includes a $700,000 annual stipend and the cost of all benefits currently available to him, as well as reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with his service to Ashford Trust. A copy of the full agreement is available as Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed by Ashford Trust with the SEC on January 9, 2013 (File No. 001-31775). Currently, Ashford Trust's Chairman Emeritus is Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., the father of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The approximate dollar amount involved in the transaction and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr.'s interest is $700,000 per year for as long as Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. continues to serve as Chairman Emeritus pursuant to the terms of his agreement.

Agreements Relating to Braemar

Advisory Agreement with Braemar

        Our advisory agreement with Braemar has an initial 10-year term that expires on January 24, 2027 and is subject to renewal by us for up to seven additional successive 10-year terms. We are entitled to receive from Braemar, on a monthly basis, an annual base fee, in an amount equal to 1/12^th of (i) 0.70% or less of Braemar's total market capitalization plus (ii) a net asset fee adjustment (as described below), subject to a minimum monthly fee. The net asset fee adjustment is an amount equal to (i) the product of the Sold Non-ERFP Asset Amount (as more particularly defined in the advisory agreement, but generally equal to the net sales prices of real property (other than any hotel assets purchased pursuant to the enhanced return funding program described below) sold or disposed of after the date of the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, commencing with and including the first such sale) and 0.70% plus (ii) the product of the Sold ERFP Asset Amount (as more particularly defined in the advisory agreement, but generally equal to the net sales prices of hotel assets purchased pursuant to the enhanced return funding program described below and then sold or disposed of by Braemar after the date of the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, commencing with an including the first such sale) and 1.07%. As a result of these provisions, in the event that Braemar disposes of hotel properties in the future, we will continue to receive advisory fees from Braemar in respect of hotel properties that it has sold. We are also entitled to receive an incentive fee from Braemar based on its out-performance, as measured by total annual stockholder return, as compared to Braemar's peers. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we earned a base fee of $9.4 million and an incentive fee of $678,000 from Braemar.

        In addition, we are entitled to receive directly or be reimbursed, on a monthly basis, for all expenses paid or incurred by us or our affiliates on behalf of Braemar or in connection with the services provided by us pursuant to our advisory agreement with Braemar, which includes Braemar's pro rata share of our office overhead and administrative expenses incurred in providing our duties under the advisory agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we received reimbursable overhead and internal audit, insurance claims and advisory fees of $1.9 million from Braemar.

        The board of directors of Braemar also has the authority to make annual equity awards to us or directly to our employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors, based on the achievement by Braemar of certain financial and other hurdles established by its boards of directors. In March 2018, Braemar awarded equity grants of its common stock, LTIP units, performance stock units, and performance LTIP units to executives valued at approximately $5.0 million and equity grants of its common stock or LTIP units to our non-executive employees valued at approximately $0.7 million.

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        We are also entitled to receive a termination fee from Braemar under certain circumstances upon the termination of our advisory agreement, and upon certain events that result in a change of control of Braemar, to escrow funds that belong to Braemar to secure its obligation to pay the termination fee. In the event the termination fee is payable under our advisory agreement, Braemar will be required to pay us or our subsidiaries a termination fee equal to the greater of:

•

(i) 12 multiplied by (ii) the sum of (A) our net earnings for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter preceding the termination date of our advisory agreement ("LTM Period") and (B) to the extent not included in net earnings, any incentive fees under the advisory agreement that have accrued or are accelerated but have not yet been paid at the time of termination of the advisory agreement;



•

(i) the quotient of (A) our total market capitalization on the trading day immediately preceding the date of payment of the termination fee, divided by (B) our Adjusted EBITDA for the LTM Period (which for purposes of this paragraph shall include the EBITDA (adjusted on a comparable basis to our Adjusted EBITDA)) for the same LTM Period of any person that we acquired a beneficial ownership interest in during the applicable measurement period, in the same proportion as our beneficial ownership of the acquired person, multiplied by (ii) net earnings for the LTM Period plus, to the extent not included in net earnings, any incentive fees under the advisory agreement that have accrued or are accelerated but have not yet been paid at the time of termination of the advisory agreement; and



•

the simple average, for the three years preceding the fiscal year in which the termination fee is due, of (i) the quotient of (A) our total market capitalization on the trading day immediately preceding the date of payment of the termination fee, divided by (B) our Adjusted EBITDA for the LTM Period multiplied by (ii) net earnings for the LTM Period plus, to the extent not included in net earnings, any incentive fees under the advisory agreement that have accrued or are accelerated but have not yet been paid at the time of termination of the advisory agreement.

        Additionally, pursuant to Braemar's charter, Braemar is required to nominate persons designated by Ashford LLC as candidates for election as directors at any stockholders meeting at which directors are to be elected, such that Ashford LLC's designees constitute as nearly as possible 29% of the board of directors of Braemar, in all cases rounding to the next larger whole number, for so long as the advisory agreement is in effect.

Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement with Braemar

        On January 15, 2019, we entered into the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Fifth Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement with Braemar. The independent members of our Board and the independent directors of the board of directors of Braemar, with the assistance of separate and independent legal counsel, engaged to negotiate the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement on our behalf and Braemar's behalf, respectively. Under the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, we agreed to provide $50 million to Braemar in connection with its acquisition of hotels recommended by us, with the option to increase the funding commitment to up to $100 million upon mutual agreement by the parties. We are obligated to provide Braemar 10% of the acquired hotel's purchase price in exchange for FF&E, which is subsequently leased to Braemar rent-free. In connection with Braemar's acquisition of the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe on January 15, 2019, and subject to the terms of the Enhanced Return Funding Program Agreement, we are obligated to provide Braemar with approximately $10.3 million in exchange for FF&E at Braemar properties.

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Project Management Agreement with Braemar

        In connection with our August 8, 2018 acquisition of Remington's project management business, our wholly owned subsidiary, Premier, entered into a project management agreement with Braemar, pursuant to which Premier provides project management services to Braemar's hotels, including construction management, interior design, architectural services, and the purchasing, freight management, and supervision of installation of FF&E and related services. From and after August 8, 2018, pursuant to the project management agreement, Braemar paid Premier: (a) project management fees of up to 4% of project costs; and (b) market service fees at current market rates with respect to construction management, interior design, FF&E purchasing, FF&E expediting/freight management, FF&E warehousing, and FF&E installation and supervision. The amount of project management and market service fees paid by Braemar to Premier from August 8, 2018 to December 31, 2018 was approximately $3.5 million. In January 2019, Braemar and Premier agreed that payment for the following services, which were previously paid at current market rates, would be fixed as follows: (i) architectural (6.5% of total construction costs); (ii) construction management for projects without a general contractor (10% of total construction costs); (iii) interior design (6% of the purchase price of the FF&E designed or selected by Premier); and (iv) FF&E purchasing (8% of the purchase price of FF&E purchased by Premier; provided that if the purchase price exceeds $2.0 million for a single hotel in a calendar year, then the purchasing fee is reduced to 6% of the FF&E purchase price in excess of $2.0 million for such hotel in such calendar year).

Project Management Mutual Exclusivity Agreement with Braemar and Braemar OP

        Also, in connection with our August 8, 2018 acquisition of Remington's project management business, Premier entered into a mutual exclusivity agreement with Braemar and Braemar Hospitality Limited Partnership ("Braemar OP"), pursuant to which Braemar has agreed to hire Premier or its affiliates for the development and construction, capital improvement, refurbishment, and/or project management or other services in connection with any acquisition or investment by us in a hotel, unless Braemar's independent directors either (i) unanimously vote not to engage Premier, or (ii) based on special circumstances or past performance, by a majority vote elect not to engage Premier because they have determined, in their reasonable business judgment, that it would be in our best interest not to engage Premier or that another manager or developer could perform the duties materially better. Pursuant to the mutual exclusivity agreement, Braemar has a first right of refusal to purchase lodging investments identified by Premier and any of its affiliates that meet Braemar's investment criteria.

Service Providers

        In accordance with our advisory agreements, we, or entities in which we have an interest, have a right to provide products or services to hotels owned by Ashford Trust and Braemar or their affiliates at market rates, provided such transactions are evaluated and approved by the independent directors of Ashford Trust and Braemar. Our relationships with such product and service providers often result in preferred pricing, premium service, and other benefits for Ashford Trust and Braemar hotels. We also anticipate that this arrangement will facilitate better long term quality control and accountability.

        If our independent directors request performance of services outside the scope of the advisory agreement, Ashford Trust and Braemar are obligated to pay for such services separately and in addition to the other fees charged by us under the applicable advisory agreement.

        The table below sets forth entities in which we had an interest as of December 31, 2018 with which some of Ashford Trust's hotels and Braemar's hotels contracted for products and services, the approximate amounts paid by or retained by affiliates of Ashford Trust or Braemar for those services, our interests in such entities (excluding the impact of the 0.2% minority interest in Ashford Hospitality Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., not held by Ashford Inc.), and the number of board seats

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we have on such companies' boards, such board seats being filled by directors or officers of Ashford Inc.

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Our Relationship and Agreements with Remington

        Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is also the Chief Executive Officer of Remington and, together with his father Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., beneficially owns 100% of Remington, and, as a result, Mr. Monty J. Bennett and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. have benefited and will benefit from Remington's transactions with us, including in connection with the receipt of property management fees by Remington from Ashford Trust, Braemar and such future companies that we advise and that engage Remington for property management services, as well as any such fees payable by us if we acquire or develop hotels in the future. Currently, our business strategy does not contemplate the acquisition or development of hotels.

Acquisition of Premier from Remington

        On April 6, 2018, we entered into a combination agreement to acquire the project management business of Remington. On August 7, 2018, at a special meeting of stockholders, our shareholders voted to approve certain matters related to our acquisition of the project management business of Remington. On August 8, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Premier, the project management business formerly conducted by certain affiliates of Remington, for a total transaction value of $203 million. The combination agreement provided for customary representations, covenants and indemnities. The purchase price was paid by issuing 8,120,000 shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to the sellers of Premier, primarily MJB Investments, LP (which is wholly-owned by Mr. Monty J. Bennett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman), and his father Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. (Chairman Emeritus of Ashford Trust). Our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a conversion price of $140 per share and would convert into 1,450,000 shares of our common stock; Mr. Monty J. Bennett was issued 4,000,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (convertible into 714,286 shares of our common stock) and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. was issued 4,000,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (convertible into 714,286 shares of our common stock). Our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled to cumulative dividends at the rate of (i) 5.50% per annum until the first anniversary of the closing of the transactions, (ii) 6.00% per annum from the first anniversary of the closing of the transactions until the second anniversary of the closing of the transactions and (iii) 6.50% per annum thereafter, in each case, payable quarterly in arrears. During 2018, we paid $2,200,000 in dividends to Mr. Monty J. Bennett and $2,200,000 in dividends to

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Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., in each case in respect of their ownership of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. In connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by the combination agreement, we entered into an investor rights agreement, which confers rights to Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett and/or other entities controlled by them, as set forth below:

Investor Rights Agreement

        We entered into an investor rights agreement, dated August 8, 2018, with Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett Jr., MJB Investments and Mark A. Sharkey (together with each person that succeeds to their respective interests as the result of a transfer permitted under the investor rights agreement, the "Covered Investors") that provides for, among other items, governing rights, operating agreements, non-competes, transfer restrictions, and put and call rights and obligations of the parties.

        Board Designation Rights.    The investor rights agreement provides that for so long as the Covered Investors beneficially own no less than 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (taking into account our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis), each of Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., during his lifetime, and thereafter those Covered Investors holding in the aggregate 55% of the total number of shares of our common stock (taking into account our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis) held by all Covered Investors (a "Majority In Interest"), and Mr. Monty J. Bennett, during his lifetime, and a Majority in Interest of the Covered Investors thereafter, will each be entitled to nominate one individual (other than Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr.) for election as a member of our Board of Directors (each a "Seller Nominee"). Messrs. Monty J. Bennett and W. Michael Murphy served as the initial Seller Nominees. The investor rights agreement requires us, with respect to the Seller Nominees, (i) to assure that the size of the Board will accommodate the Seller Nominee, (ii) at each annual meeting of stockholders, to cause the slate of nominees standing for election, and recommended by the Board, at each such meeting to include the Seller Nominee, (iii) to nominate and reflect in the proxy statement on Schedule 14A for each annual meeting the nomination of the Seller Nominee for election as a director at each such meeting and (iv) to the extent permitted under applicable law and stock exchange rules, cause all proxies for which a vote is not specified to be voted for the Seller Nominee.

        Preemptive Rights.    The investor rights agreement provides that, except for issuances in connection with the conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock or the exercise of the Change of Control Put Option or Call Option (each as defined below), we will not issue any equity securities, rights to acquire equity securities or debt convertible into equity securities ("New Securities") unless we give each of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett Jr., and MJB Investments (together with each person that succeeds to the interests as an immediate family member or controlled entity transferee, the "Holder Group Investors") notice of our respective intention to issue New Securities and the right to acquire such Holder Group Investor's pro rata share of the New Securities.

        Transfer Restrictions.    The investor rights agreement provides that, for five years after the closing of the transactions, each of the Covered Investors are prohibited from transferring our common stock or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to any person (subject to certain specified exceptions) that is or would become, together with such person's affiliates and associates, a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the shares of our common stock, taking the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into account on an as-converted basis, except (i) to family members and in connection with estate planning, (ii) as a result of any voting agreement between Mr. Monty J. Bennett and Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., (iii) transfers in which no transferee (or group of affiliated or associated transferees) would purchase or receive 2% or more of our outstanding voting shares, (iv) in connection with any widespread public distribution of shares of our common stock or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock registered under the Securities Act or (v) a transfer to any transferee that would beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock without any transfer from a

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Covered Investor, unless such transfer restrictions have been waived by the affirmative vote of the majority of our stockholders that are not affiliates or associates of the Covered Investors. For the purposes of such transfer restriction, any person is deemed to beneficially own the securities of any other person if such person knowingly acts (whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, arrangement or understanding) in concert or in parallel, or towards a common goal with such other person, related to acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of our voting securities or changing or influencing the control of the Company, other than in connection with the solicitation of, or granting or receiving, revocable proxies or consents given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation or being solicited for, or tendering or receiving tenders of securities in a public tender or exchange offer. Any permitted transferee from a Covered Investor must, as a condition to such transfer, become a party to the investor rights agreement by joinder and agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions set forth therein as a Covered Investor.

        Put and Call Options.    Pursuant to the investor rights agreement, after the seventh anniversary of the closing of the transactions, we have the option to redeem all or any portion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in $25,000,000 increments on a pro rata basis among all Covered Investors unless, no less than 15 days before the closing of the purchase transaction, the participating Covered Investors specify an alternative allocation of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock subject to the redemption (the "Call Option"), at a price per share equal to the sum of (i) $25.125 (as adjusted for any applicable stock splits or similar transactions) (the "Base Strike Price") plus (ii) all accrued but unpaid dividends. The purchase price is payable only in cash. The notice of exercise of the Call Option does not limit or restrict any Covered Investor's right to convert the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock prior to the closing of the Call Option. The investor rights agreement also provides each Covered Investor with the option, exercisable on one occasion, to sell to the Company all of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock then owned by such Covered Investor (the "Change of Control Put Option") at any time at or during the ten business day consecutive period following the consummation of a Change of Control (as defined below). In the event that a Covered Investor exercises the Change of Control Put Option, the price to be paid to such exercising Covered Investor will be an amount equal to (1) not more than the Base Strike Price, plus (2) all accrued and unpaid dividends, plus (3) if prior to the fifth anniversary of the closing of the transactions, an additional amount per share which shall initially be 15% of the Base Strike Price, and reduced by 3% of the Base Strike Price for each year, inclusive of the year in which the Change of Control Put Option is exercised, until the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the transactions. Such price shall be payable at each Covered Investor's election in any combination of cash or a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the cash amount to be paid by a $140 conversion price. The $140 conversion price is subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends on our common stock or any subdivision or combination of our common stock.

        A "Change of Control" means, with respect to any Covered Investor, any of the following, in each case that was not voted for or consented to by such Covered Investor solely in its capacity as our stockholder: (i) any person (other than Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr., MJB Investments, their controlled affiliates, trusts or estates in which any of them has a substantial interest or as to which any of them serves as trustee or a similar capacity, any immediate family member of Archie Bennett, Jr. or Monty J. Bennett or any group of which they are a member) acquires beneficial ownership of our securities that, together with the securities previously beneficially owned by the first such person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of our outstanding securities, or (ii) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (other than as collateral) of all or a majority of our (taken as a whole) assets or income or revenue generating capacity, other than to any direct or indirect majority-owned and controlled affiliate of ours.

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        Noncompetition and Non-Solicitation Agreements.    Subject to the exclusions described below, the investor rights agreement provides that for a period of the later of (i) three years following the closing of the transactions, or (ii) three years following the date Mr. Monty J. Bennett is not our principal executive officer (the "Restricted Period"), each of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. and MJB Investments will not, directly or indirectly:

        (a)   engage in, or have an interest in a person that engages in, the project management business anywhere in the United States (excluding certain passive investments and existing relationships) (the "Restricted Business"); or

        (b)   intentionally interfere in any material respect with the business relationships (whether formed prior to or after the date of the investor rights agreement) between Premier and customers, clients or vendors of Premier.

        In addition to, among other exclusions, exclusions related to service with entities related to us and passive investments in publicly traded securities on unaffiliated entities, each of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. and MJB Investments may freely pursue any opportunity to acquire ownership, directly or indirectly, in any interest in real property in the lodging industry if such person has presented such opportunity to our Board and we (based on a determination by a majority of its independent directors) decline to pursue or participate in such opportunity, provided such person and its controlled affiliates do not engage in the Restricted Business for such opportunity.

        The investor rights agreement also provides that, during the Restricted Period, none of Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. or MJB Investments will, or permit any of their controlled affiliates to, hire or solicit the executive officers of Premier, and any independent contractors or consultants spending a majority of their respective time on the property management business (collectively, the "Service Providers"), except pursuant to a general solicitation that is not directed specifically to such Service Providers. Mr. Monty J. Bennett, Mr. Archie Bennett, Jr. and MJB Investments, either directly or through any of their controlled affiliates, may hire any Service Providers (i) whose employment has been terminated by us or Premier, (ii) after 180 days, whose employment has been terminated by the Service Provider or (iii) who will work on a shared basis between Premier and Remington Holdings, L.P.

        Voting Limitations.    The investor rights agreement provides that on matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our voting securities, the Covered Investors will have the right to vote or direct or cause the vote of the shares as to which they hold sole voting power or are held by immediate family members (or a trust for the benefit of such person) ("Sole Voting Shares") as the Covered Investors determine, in their sole discretion, except if, prior to the fifth anniversary of the closing of the transactions, the combined voting power of the Reference Shares (as defined below) exceeds 25.0% (plus the combined voting power of any of our common stock acquired by any Covered Investor in an arm's length transaction after the closing of the transaction from a person other than us or our subsidiary, including through open market purchases, or privately negotiated transactions or any distributions of our common stock by either of Ashford Trust or Braemar to its respective stockholders pro rata) of the combined voting power of all of our outstanding voting securities entitled to vote on any given matter, then the Reference Shares representing voting power equal to such excess will be deemed to be "Company Cleansed Shares" under the investor rights agreement. The Covered Investors will vote, or cause to be voted, out of the Covered Investors' Sole Voting Shares, shares constituting voting power equal to the voting power of the Company Cleansed Shares in the same proportion as the holders of such class or series of our voting securities vote their shares with respect to such matters, inclusive of the Reference Shares voted by the Covered Investors. These voting restrictions may be waived by a majority vote or consent of our independent directors, as applicable, that have no personal interest in the matter to be voted upon.

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        "Reference Shares" means all of our voting securities that are (a) beneficially owned by any Covered Investor, including any such voting securities as to which any Covered Investor has sole or shared voting power; (b) beneficially owned by any member of a group of which any Covered Investor is a member; or (c) subject to or referenced in any derivative or synthetic interest that (i) conveys any voting right in our common stock or (ii) is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of our common stock, in either case, that is held or beneficially owned by any Covered Investor or any controlled affiliate or any Covered Investor.

        The Covered Investors, among themselves, provide that the total number of votes attributable to Reference Shares that are not Company Cleansed Shares will be proportionately allocated among the Covered Investors based on a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Reference Shares held by such Covered Investor, and the denominator of which is the total number of Reference Shares held by all Covered Investors in the aggregate.

        Termination.    The investor rights agreement terminates by its terms on the earliest of (i) the written agreement of us and a Majority in Interest of the Covered Investors and (ii) the date on which the Covered Investors no longer own any of our common stock or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock; provided the noncompetition agreement, the transfer restrictions, board nomination rights and voting restrictions will last for the time periods provided by their terms and the Call Option and Change of Control Put Option will last indefinitely. A Covered Investor will automatically cease to be bound by the investor rights agreement at such time as such Covered Investor no longer owns any of our common stock or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.

Amended and Restated Mutual Exclusivity Agreement

        We are parties to an amended and restated mutual exclusivity agreement, dated August 8, 2018, with Remington, pursuant to which we agreed to utilize Remington to provide property management services for all hotels, if any, that we may acquire as well as all hotels that future companies advised by us may acquire, to the extent that we have the right, or control the right, to direct such matters, unless our independent directors either (i) unanimously vote not to utilize Remington for such services or (ii) based on special circumstances or past performance, by a majority vote elect not to engage Remington because they have determined, in their reasonable business judgment, that it would be in our best interest not to engage Remington or that another manager or developer could perform the duties materially better. In exchange for our agreement to engage Remington for such services for all hotels, if any, that we may acquire as well as all hotels that future companies advised by us may acquire, Remington has agreed to grant to any such companies advised by us a right of first refusal to purchase any investments identified by Remington and any of its affiliates that meet the initial investment criteria of such entities, as identified in the advisory agreement between us and such entities, subject to any prior rights granted by Remington to other entities, including Ashford Trust, Braemar and us. The services that Remington provides under the amended and restated mutual exclusivity agreement to Ashford Trust, Braemar and future companies advised by us are property management services, which consist of the day-to-day operations of hotels.

OTHER PROPOSALS

        The proxies intend to exercise their discretionary authority to vote on any stockholder proposals submitted at the Annual Meeting as permitted by Rule 14a-4(c) promulgated under the Exchange Act and not included in this proxy statement. For a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the company's proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, our corporate secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal office no later than the close of business on December 3, 2019. Such proposals also must comply with Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be

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addressed to the attention of Investor Relations, Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254.

        Any proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders other than by inclusion in our proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 must be received by us no earlier than December 3, 2019 and no later than January 2, 2020. Stockholders are advised to review our bylaws, which contain additional requirements with respect to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations, copies of which are available without charge upon request to the Corporate Secretary, Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING

Solicitation of Proxies

        The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, we expect that director, officers and other employees of Ashford may solicit the return of proxies by personal interview, telephone, e-mail or facsimile. We will not pay additional compensation to our directors, officers and employees for their solicitation efforts, but we will reimburse them for any out of pocket expenses they incur in their solicitation efforts. We also intend to request persons holding shares of our common stock in their name or custody, or in the name of a nominee, to send proxy materials to their principals and request authority for the execution of the proxies, and we will reimburse such persons for their expense in doing so. We will bear the expense of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting, including the cost of mailing.

        We have retained MacKenzie Partners Inc. ("MacKenzie") to aid in the solicitation of proxies and to verify records relating to the solicitation. MacKenzie will receive a base fee of $10,000, plus out of pocket expenses.

Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials

        Most stockholders can elect to view future proxy statements electronically instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. This will save us the cost of producing and mailing these documents.

        If you are a stockholder of record, you may choose electronic delivery by following the instructions provided when you vote over the Internet. If you hold our common stock through a broker, bank, trust or other holder of record, you will receive information from that entity regarding the availability of electronic delivery. If you choose to view future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet, you will receive an e-mail message next year containing the Internet address to access our proxy statement. Your choice will remain in effect until you cancel your election. You do not have to elect Internet access each year.

Voting Securities

        Our only outstanding voting equity securities are shares of our common stock. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote. As of March 18, 2019, there were 2,469,457 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 2019 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting.

Voting

        If you hold your common stock in your own name as a holder of record, you may instruct the proxies to vote your common stock by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided. You may also vote your common stock in person at the Annual Meeting. Each

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stockholder may appoint only one proxy holder or representative to attend the meeting on his or her behalf.

        If your common stock is held on your behalf by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will receive instructions from them that you must follow to have your common stock voted at the Annual Meeting.

Counting of Votes

        A quorum will be present at the Annual Meeting if the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present in person or by proxy. If you have returned valid proxy instructions or if you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record and attend the Annual Meeting in person, your shares will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum. If a quorum is not present, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting or by a vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting until a quorum has been obtained.

        The affirmative vote of a plurality of all of the votes cast for and against each nominee will be required to elect each nominee to the Board of Directors (Proposal One). The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast on such proposal will be required to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2019 (Proposal Two) and for any other matter that may properly come before the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.

        If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in the name of a broker, trustee or other nominee and do not provide that broker, trustee or other nominee with voting instructions, your shares may constitute "broker non-votes." The election of directors (Proposal One) is a non-discretionary item under the rules of the NYSE American and may not be voted by brokers, banks or other nominees who have not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. It is therefore important that you provide instructions to your broker so that your shares will be counted for purposes of Proposals One and Two. The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as independent auditors (Proposal Two) is a discretionary item, and as such, banks, brokers and other nominees that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners may vote on this proposal in their discretion.

        Abstentions and broker non-votes are included in determining whether a quorum is present, as they are considered present and entitled to cast a vote (even if, in the case of broker non-votes, they are only entitled to vote on Proposal Two). Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be considered as votes cast, and accordingly will have no effect on the outcome of, Proposals One and Two.

        If you sign and return your proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted consistent with Board's recommendations.

Right To Revoke Proxy

        If you hold shares of common stock in your own name as a holder of record, you may revoke your proxy instructions through any of the following methods:

•

notify our Corporate Secretary in writing before your shares of common stock have been voted at the Annual Meeting;



•

sign, date and mail a new proxy card to Broadridge; or



•

attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares of common stock in person.

        You must meet the same deadline when revoking your proxy as when voting your proxy. See the "Voting" section of this proxy statement for more information.

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        If shares of common stock are held on your behalf by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must contact them to receive instructions as to how you may revoke your proxy instructions.

Multiple Stockholders Sharing the Same Address

        The SEC rules allow for the delivery of a single copy of an annual report and proxy statement to two or more stockholders who share an address, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. We will deliver promptly upon written or oral request separate copies of our annual report and proxy statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered. Requests for additional copies of the proxy materials, and requests that in the future separate proxy materials be sent to stockholders who share an address, should be directed to Ashford Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254 or by calling (972) 490-9600. In addition, stockholders who share a single address but receive multiple copies of the proxy materials may request that in the future they receive a single copy by contacting us at the address and phone number set forth in the previous sentence. Depending upon the practices of your broker, bank or other nominee, you may need to contact them directly to continue duplicate mailings to your household. If you wish to revoke your consent to householding, you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee. If you hold shares of common stock in your own name as a holder of record, householding will not apply to your shares.

        If you wish to request extra copies, free of charge, of any annual report, proxy statement or information statement, please send your request to Ashford Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254 or call (972) 490-9600. You can also obtain copies from our website at www.ashfordinc.com. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Annual Report

        Stockholders may request a free copy of our 2018 Annual Report, which includes our 2018 Form 10-K, by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Ashford Inc., 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254. Alternatively, stockholders may access our 2018 Annual Report on our website at www.ashfordinc.com. We will also furnish any exhibit to our 2018 Form 10-K if specifically requested. The information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Other Matters

        We know of no other matters to be submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1090. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and on the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. We make available on our website at www.ashfordinc.com, free of charge, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, press releases, charters for the committees of our Board, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer and other Company information, including amendments to such documents as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC or

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otherwise publicly released. Such information will also be furnished upon written request to Ashford Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 14185 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75254 or by calling (972) 490-9600.

        Any statement contained in this proxy statement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this proxy statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this proxy statement.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement to vote on each of the proposals submitted for stockholder vote. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated April 1, 2019. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any later date.

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