Kevin Mitchell
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
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShowBiz Direct Distribution | Managing Member | 2023–Present | Film distribution leadership; industry relationships |
| ShowBiz Cinemas | Managing Member | 2007–2021 | Motion picture exhibition leadership; operational and real estate expertise |
| Cinemark Theatres | Operations, film licensing, real estate roles | Early career (years not disclosed) | Direct operational insight into exhibition business |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Association of Theatre Owners | Advisory Board Member | Not disclosed | Industry advocacy and exhibition insights |
| Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation | Board service | Not disclosed | Industry philanthropy |
| Variety the Children’s Charity of Texas | Board service | Not disclosed | Community engagement |
| Kickstart Kids (Chuck Norris) | Board service | Not disclosed | Youth 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
| Year | Cash Retainer | Committee Fees (SPC Member) | Total Cash | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Year | Equity Type | Grant Value | Vesting | Grant Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Restricted 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
| Entity | Type | Role/Link | Potential Interlock/Conflict Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public company boards | Public | None disclosed for Kevin Mitchell | No public company directorships disclosed |
| Mitchell Investors | Shareholder nominating entity | Kevin is a nominee of Mitchell Investors | Family/affiliation link; monitoring advisable |
| Cinemark founder Lee Roy Mitchell | Beneficial owner | 8.6% beneficial ownership; Kevin is his son | Not independent due to relationship; influence risk |
| Carlos Sepulveda | Board Chair | Also a nominee of Mitchell Investors | Affiliation 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
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Shares Outstanding | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Mitchell | 15,231 | <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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