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Kevin Mitchell

Director at Cinemark HoldingsCinemark Holdings
Board

About Kevin Mitchell

Kevin Mitchell, age 56, has served on Cinemark’s Board since 2023. He holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin, founded and managed ShowBiz Cinemas (2007–2021) and currently leads ShowBiz Direct Distribution (2023–present). He is a Class III nominee for re‑election in 2025 with a term expiring in 2028. The Board classifies him as not independent due to his relationship with Cinemark’s founder and former Chairman, Lee Roy Mitchell, and he is a nominee of Mitchell Investors .

Past Roles

OrganizationRoleTenureCommittees/Impact
ShowBiz Direct DistributionManaging Member2023–Present Film distribution leadership; industry relationships
ShowBiz CinemasManaging Member2007–2021 Motion picture exhibition leadership; operational and real estate expertise
Cinemark TheatresOperations, film licensing, real estate rolesEarly career (years not disclosed) Direct operational insight into exhibition business

External Roles

OrganizationRoleTenureCommittees/Impact
National Association of Theatre OwnersAdvisory Board MemberNot disclosedIndustry advocacy and exhibition insights
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers FoundationBoard serviceNot disclosedIndustry philanthropy
Variety the Children’s Charity of TexasBoard serviceNot disclosedCommunity engagement
Kickstart Kids (Chuck Norris)Board serviceNot disclosedYouth development

Board Governance

  • Committee assignments: Strategic Planning Committee member; not a chair (SPC Chair is Darcy Antonellis) .
  • Independence: Not independent due to relationship with founder/former Chairman, Lee Roy Mitchell .
  • Attendance: In 2024, the Board held 4 meetings (plus consents), and all directors attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings on which they served .
  • Executive sessions: Non‑management directors met four times; independent directors met once; sessions presided over by Non‑Executive Chairman Carlos Sepulveda .
  • Leadership structure: Chairman and CEO roles separated; independent oversight framework maintained .

Fixed Compensation

YearCash RetainerCommittee Fees (SPC Member)Total CashSource
2024$80,000 $5,000 (SPC member) $85,000

Policy references:

  • Base director retainer: $80,000; SPC member fee: $5,000; SPC chair fee: $10,000 (not applicable to Kevin) .
  • Non‑Executive Chairman additional retainer: $90,000 (not applicable) .

Performance Compensation

YearEquity TypeGrant ValueVestingGrant TimingNotes
2024Restricted Stock (time‑based)$134,982 Vests on 1st anniversary, subject to service Typically on/around June 15 Annual director grant sized at $135,000 per policy
  • No options or PSUs are disclosed for directors; equity is time‑based restricted stock under the Director Compensation Policy .
  • Equity award limit for non‑employee directors under 2024 LTIP: $1,000,000 per fiscal year (cash plus grant date fair value) .

Other Directorships & Interlocks

EntityTypeRole/LinkPotential Interlock/Conflict Indicator
Public company boardsPublicNone disclosed for Kevin MitchellNo public company directorships disclosed
Mitchell InvestorsShareholder nominating entityKevin is a nominee of Mitchell InvestorsFamily/affiliation link; monitoring advisable
Cinemark founder Lee Roy MitchellBeneficial owner8.6% beneficial ownership; Kevin is his sonNot independent due to relationship; influence risk
Carlos SepulvedaBoard ChairAlso a nominee of Mitchell InvestorsAffiliation interlock on Board

Expertise & Qualifications

  • CEO experience: Nearly two decades leading ShowBiz Cinemas; leadership of ShowBiz Direct Distribution .
  • Industry experience: Deep exhibition and distribution expertise; operational and real estate background; studio relationship network .
  • Community/industry engagement: Advisory role at National Association of Theatre Owners and service on multiple industry/non‑profit boards .

Equity Ownership

HolderShares Beneficially Owned% of Shares OutstandingBasis
Kevin Mitchell15,231<1%117,919,404 shares outstanding as of record date

Ownership alignment framework:

  • Director stock ownership guideline: 5x annual cash retainer; compliance reviewed annually .
  • As of the record date, all directors were in compliance or working toward compliance with guidelines (aggregate disclosure) .
  • Hedging/pledging: Company unconditionally prohibits covered employees and directors from hedging and pledging Company securities or holding them in margin accounts .

Governance Assessment

  • Strengths:
    • Extensive exhibition and distribution operating experience; valuable contributions to Strategic Planning Committee on capital allocation and industry trends .
    • Attendance threshold met within overall Board standards; participates within an active SPC subcommittee framework (SPC held 2 meetings plus 3 subcommittee meetings in 2024) .
  • Risks and RED FLAGS:
    • Not independent due to family relationship with founder and major shareholder; nominee of Mitchell Investors; potential influence risks and perceived conflicts requiring enhanced Audit/Governance oversight .
    • Limited personal beneficial ownership relative to float (<1%); while directors are subject to 5x retainer ownership guidelines, individual compliance status is not explicitly disclosed, only aggregate compliance noted .
    • Industry affiliation through ShowBiz Direct Distribution necessitates ongoing monitoring of related‑party transactions; Audit Committee oversees and must pre‑approve any such transactions per policy .
  • Compensation mix signal:
    • 2024 mix ~38.6% cash ($85k) and ~61.4% equity ($134,982), aligning incentives toward longer‑term value but equity is time‑based without performance metrics (appropriate for non‑employee directors) .
  • Engagement:
    • Board provides NACD memberships and continuing education; directors met 75%+ attendance thresholds; executive sessions used regularly, chaired by Non‑Executive Chairman .

Overall, Kevin Mitchell’s deep operating background is additive to Cinemark’s strategic oversight, particularly within the Strategic Planning Committee. However, his non‑independent status and familial/affiliation ties to a major shareholder present governance optics and potential conflict risks; continuous enforcement of related‑party approval processes (Audit Committee) and transparent disclosures are essential to maintain investor confidence .

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