Joseph M. Squeri is our Executive Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development and has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since 2015. Since January 2017, he has also served as President of CDS Capital Management, LC, an acquisition and investment company, and previously served as a Managing Director with SunBridge Capital Management, LLC, a private investment management firm supported by the Bainum family, a prominent Washington, DC, family with investment interests that include Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) and the Company. Mr. Squeri previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company from August 2010 through November 2015. From October 2008 through August 2010, Mr. Squeri served as the Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) with responsibility for capital markets, financial reporting and investor relations functions. From 1997 through 2007, Mr.
Squeri served in a variety of positions at Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHI-I), including Chief Financial Officer starting in 1999, and then more significant roles culminating with his position as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Squeri is a graduate of the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Mr. David Guernsey is founder and CEO of Guernsey Incorporated, one of the largest independent business products dealers in the United States. Mr. Guernsey currently serves on the Board of Directors of Comstock Holding Companies, Inc., (NASDAQ: CHCI) and has been a member of the Board since December 2004. Mr. Guernsey is also a member of the Compensation Committee and Audit Committee of our board. In addition, Mr. Guernsey currently serves on the Board of the Fairfax County Public Schools Foundation and on the Board of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Previously, Mr. Guernsey served as Chairman of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Vice-Chairman of Virginia Commerce. Mr. Guernsey has formerly served as Chairman on the National Board of The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and formerly as Vice-Chairman on the Board of Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. prior to its sale.
Mr. Guernsey’s extensive experience with public companies, broad management and market expertise and his success as an entrepreneur qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Mr. Guernsey enjoys skiing and sailing in his free time.
James A. MacCutcheon was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation, a leading hotel owner and manager of nationally recognized hotels operating in 16 states. He retired in 2007. Prior to Mr. MacCutcheon leading a management buy-out in 2000, Sunburst was a publicly-owned company trading on the NYSE. Sunburst’s hotels operate under Choice Hotels, Holiday Inn and Best Western flags. Mr. MacCutcheon served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sunburst from 1997 to 2000. From 1996 through 1997 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), the worldwide hotel franchisor. Sunburst became an independent company as a result of a tax-free spin-off transaction from Choice Hotels in 1997. Prior to his position with Choice Hotels, MacCutcheon served as Chief Financial Officer for Manor Care, Inc. (NYSE:MNR), Choice’s parent company before its spin-off in November 1996. Prior to joining Manor Care as Chief Executive Officer in 1987, MacCutcheon was a partner with a big five accounting firm. Mr. MacCutcheon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University, and maintains residences in Delray Beach, Florida and Cornelius, North Carolina.
Mr. MacCutcheon currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation, the Board of Comstock Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHCI) and the Board of D.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and is a former member of the Board of Children’s National Medical Center where he served as Vice Chairman and Chair of the Finance Committee and Hampden-Sydney College where he chaired the Audit Committee. Mr. MacCutcheon has also previously served on the Board of Directors for both Realty Investment Company, Inc., SunBridge Manager, LLC, Commonwealth Foundation and the Board of Governors of Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club.
Norman D. Chirite, 57, is an adviser and counsel to a number of privately-held companies and business interests. He previously was a partner of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City, where he practiced corporate law from 1987 until 2000. Norm was the Managing Director of Red Zone Capital Management Company, a private equity management firm based in McLean Virginia, from 2006 until 2013; Chairman of the Johnny Rockets Group, Inc., from 2009 until 2013; the head of acquisitions of inVentiv Health Inc., a NASDAQ-listed provider of clinical research and pharmaceutical services, from 2003 until 2010; and Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Washington Redskins, from 2002 until 2005. Norm has served on the Boards of numerous public and private organizations in the United States and Canada. He currently serves as a director of Comstock Holding Companies Inc., Iogen Corporation, and K2 Pure Inc., and as an Operating Partner of Centre Partners Management LLC.
Robert P. Pincus has been a member of our Board since June 2005 and is a member of the Audit Committee of our Board. Mr. Pincus served as Vice Chairman of EagleBank and Eagle Bancorp, an $8 billion community business headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to joining EagleBank in August 2008, he served as chairman of Fidelity & Trust Financial Corporation (“Fidelity”) which was acquired by EagleBank. He was Chairman of the Board of BB&T Bank, D.C. Metro Region and was Regional President from 1998 to 2002. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Pincus was President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin National Bank of Washington, D.C. until its acquisition by BB&T. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Pincus was regional president of the D.C. Metropolitan region of Sovran Bank until its acquisition by Bank of America. From 1971 to 1986, Mr. Pincus was with D.C. National Bancorp, Inc., where he eventually rose to become President and Chief Executive Officer, prior to its merger with Sovran Bank. Mr. Pincus is a Trustee of the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. He has a strong background in many facets of the financial services industry, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Pincus has previously been acknowledged by the business community in the metropolitan Washington area as Entrepreneur of the Year, Washingtonian of the Year and was elected to the Washington Business Hall of Fame. The Board believes that Mr. Pincus’ wealth of experience in commercial and investment banking qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Socrates Verses has been a member of our Board since June 2005 and is a member and Chairman of the Compensation Committee of our Board. Since 2009, Mr. Verses has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Netcordant, Inc., formerly known as Codekko Software, a web application optimization company, and co-Chief Executive Officer of MDA360, a data analytics company. Mr. Verses was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Realeum, Inc., a property management and business integration software company, from 2001-2008. From January 1995 to February 2001, Mr. Verses served as President and a director of Technology Enablers, Inc., an e-services company. From 1987 to 1995, he served as Vice President of Sales for Recognition Equipment Incorporated. The Company believes Mr. Verses’ extensive executive- level experience in technology and business development qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.