UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 17, 2014

 

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

001-35517

 

45-3148087

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

One North Wacker Drive, 48th Floor, Chicago, IL

 

60606

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (312) 252-7500

 

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


 

Item 5.02.   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

(b) On October 17, 2014, John B. Bartling, Jr. resigned from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”) effective October 17, 2014.  On October 17, 2014, the Board elected Robert L. Rosen, who has served on the Board since the Company’s initial public offering in May 2012, as Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Rosen has 35 years of experience as a senior executive and director of financial services, healthcare services, real estate and private equity funds in addition to his previously serving as the chairman of two boards of directors. Mr. Rosen is also an Operating Advisor to the Ares Management Private Equity Group and is an inaugural member of Ares Capital Corporation’s (NASDAQ: ARCC) board of directors.

 

The Board is now comprised of eight members, including five directors who are independent for purposes of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing requirements and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Mr. Bartling’s resignation did not involve a disagreement with the Company or any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

 

2


 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:      October 17, 2014

 

 

 

 

ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael D. Weiner

 

Name:

Michael D. Weiner

 

Title:

Vice President and General Counsel

 

3