---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001298946-26-000005"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DRH"
cik: "0001298946"
company_name: "DiamondRock Hospitality Co"
filed_at: "2026-02-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T00:09:13.814869+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Chairman William McCarten to retire April 29, 2026; Bruce Wardinski to become non-executive Chairman

## Summary
- William W. McCarten, founder and inaugural CEO, will retire as Chairman at the April 29, 2026 annual meeting.
- Bruce D. Wardinski, a board member since 2013, will succeed as non-executive Chairman effective same date.
- Board size will reduce from nine to eight directors upon McCarten's retirement.
- McCarten's 47-year hospitality career; departure not due to any disagreement with management.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001298946-26-000005
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DRH
- cik: 0001298946
- company_name: DiamondRock Hospitality Co
- filed_at: 2026-02-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1298946/000129894626000005/0001298946-26-000005-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1298946/000129894626000005/drh-20260224.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001298946-26-000005
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001298946-26-000005.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001298946-26-000005.txt

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