Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation announced that it has appointed Rand S. April and James E. Skinner to its board as independent directors. Mr. April is a retired Partner of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he practiced for more than 30 years and served as the managing partner of the firm's Los Angeles office for 18 years. Mr. Skinner has served in various leadership positions over his nearly 15-year tenure at Neiman Marcus Group, including as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer until 2015, when he transitioned to the role of Vice Chairman before retiring in 2016.

Among other responsibilities, Mr. Skinner had responsibility for Neiman Marcus Group's real estate-related activities. Mr. Skinner has also served in an executive capacity at other public and private companies including as Chief Financial Officer for CapRock Communications Corp. and CompUSA Inc. As a result of the appointments of Mr. Rand and Mr. Skinner as independent directors, a majority of the Ares Commercial Real Estate Board is independent.