---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-21-357460"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SABR"
cik: "0001597033"
company_name: "Sabre Corp"
filed_at: "2021-12-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T00:52:58.640506+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Sabre appoints Kurt Ekert as President, separates CEO/President roles; Shirk transitions

## Summary
- Kurt Ekert elected President effective Jan 3, 2022; reports to CEO Sean Menke.
- Ekert formerly President/CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT); receives $750k base salary, 125% target bonus, $1M initial RSU grant.
- David Shirk steps down as President of Travel Solutions Dec 31, 2021; stays as Senior Advisor through Dec 31, 2022 at $722,625 base salary.
- Shirk's severance: 6 months base salary and 12 months COBRA if employment ends Dec 31, 2022 (not earlier).

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-21-357460
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SABR
- cik: 0001597033
- company_name: Sabre Corp
- filed_at: 2021-12-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1597033/000119312521357460/0001193125-21-357460-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1597033/000119312521357460/d265833d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-357460
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-357460.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-357460.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  David Shirk changed role as Senior Advisor at Sabre Corp.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Senior Advisor
  source text: David Shirk intends to step down from his position as Executive Vice President and President of Travel Solutions of Sabre, effective December 31, 2021. Mr. Shirk will remain with Sabre as Senior Advisor of Sabre through December 31, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1597033/000119312521357460/0001193125-21-357460-index.htm
- Executive change
  Kurt J. Ekert was elected as President at Sabre Corp.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: President
  source text: Kurt J. Ekert, age 51, has been elected President of Sabre, effective January 3, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1597033/000119312521357460/0001193125-21-357460-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.