Thomas Bakke Retires from COO and Executive VP Roles at Washington REIT $WRE

Thomas Q. Bakke Retirement

On February 11, 2019, Thomas Q. Bakke communicated his decision to retire as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (the “Company”), such retirement to take effect on March 8, 2019.
In connection therewith, on February 15, 2019, the Company and Mr. Bakke entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Separation Agreement”). The Separation Agreement provides for the payment of various benefits to Mr. Bakke (provided he does not revoke such agreement during a seven-day revocation period). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Bakke will become fully vested in his entire account under the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Additionally, under the Separation Agreement, the Company will fully accelerate the vesting of all of Mr. Bakke’s outstanding equity-based awards under the Company’s 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, and the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, that are unvested as of the date of his retirement. In addition, Mr. Bakke will receive his final paycheck, which will include all earned but unpaid salary and vacation, and will receive those portions of his outstanding awards as calculated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan as of the date of his retirement.
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Washington REIT has agreed to a general release of claims against Mr. Bakke, and Mr. Bakke has agreed to a general release of claims against Washington REIT. Mr. Bakke also has agreed to reasonably cooperate with and provide information to Washington REIT upon request, and he will receive reasonable and necessary expenses in connection therewith. The Separation Agreement also contains confidentiality and other customary provisions, as well as a 12-month non-solicitation covenant.