As CEO Search Begins, RLHC Chairman Steps Down

DENVER—RLH Corporation revealed that Robert Wolfe has retired from the board of directors. R. Carter Pate, who has been a board member since May 2019, has been selected by the board as an independent director.

According to RLH Corporation, the board and Wolfe believe this transition is opportune as the company launches its search for a permanent CEO, following Greg Mount’s departure in November 2019. In addition, RLHC has embarked on a strategic evolution to a fee-based franchise business model.

“As I considered RLHC’s ongoing evolution and my retirement plans, I determined that this would be an appropriate time to transition the board to new leadership,” said Wolfe. “RLHC has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last seven years, and it is time for clear focus on the opportunities ahead. As the company transitions to new leadership at the CEO position, it will be important to have close collaboration between the CEO and board chair to achieve RLHC’s vision. Carter Pate has a track record of success and a unique skill set, which includes dynamic leadership that can be levered for the benefit of RLHC and its shareholders. I am highly confident that the board will be in good hands.”

Pate added, “I am honored to serve as RLHC’s next chairman. The company is at an exciting juncture in its evolution where adherence to strategy execution is vital to completing a successful transformation to a fee-based franchise company. Bob has worked hard to get RLHC to this stage, and I am energized to take up the baton. The timing of the chairman transition should dovetail nicely with RLHC’s search for a permanent CEO. I look forward to applying learnings from previous experience to RLHC’s strategy and guiding management’s efforts to grow the brand and enhance the company’s financial performance.”

Pate, age 65, was elected a director in May 2019. He has had a distinguished career in directing performance improvement, executive management, finance, and board service, including experience as a public company chairman, according to the company. Pate has led numerous companies through strategic change and has the required skill set to help the board and management team to realize its full potential as a franchise company.

Pate recently completed serving as interim CEO at The Providence Service Corporation, a position he had held since 2017. He is the founder and CEO of Carter Pate LLC, a consulting and investment firm he founded in 2014. From 2011 to 2014, Pate served as the CEO of MV Transportation Inc. the largest privately owned passenger transportation logistics firm based in the United States.

RLHC’s nominating and governance committee is engaged in its annual process of assessing the board’s needs and skills, and as part of that comprehensive analysis will determine whether to replace one or both of its open board seats. In addition, the search committee, led by Jake Brace, has engaged Aethos Consulting Group, an executive search firm to assist in the recruitment of a permanent CEO, and that process is ongoing.