Nick Allan

Control Risks

CEO

Nick Allan has been the Chief Executive Officer of Control Risks since January 2019. Previously, he was CEO for the Europe and Africa Region, and before that led the Asia Pacific region for a number of years. Nick sits on the Board and Executive Committee.

Throughout his career at Control Risks, Nick has advised clients on some of their most complex strategic challenges, helping them to understand the totality their risk profiles. From directing a global cyber security transformation exercise at a leading international insurance firm, to advising a mining investor on its worldwide expansion, Nick has focused on finding solutions and opportunities that are dynamic and pragmatic. He has a particular interest in the role of business in conflict areas.

Before becoming CEO, Nick was central to the creation of Control Risks’ cyber security business and to driving the company’s expansion in Africa and Europe.

Nick is invited to speak at events across the world. Recent engagements include ExCred International, the International Court of Justice Conference and Africa Real Estate Investors. He has featured in international media including the BBC, CNBC and Bloomberg.

Before Control Risks, most of Nick’s career was spent with De La Rue. He studied Politics at the University of Bristol and has an MBA from Imperial College Management School, University of London. Nick speaks fluent Spanish and conversational Portuguese.

Pascal Bachmann

Jetcraft

Senior Vice President, Sales, EMEA

Pascal Bachmann joined Jetcraft in 2014 as a sales representative based in Europe. In his current
role he leads all Jetcraft sales initiatives in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and manages a team of Sales Directors based in those regions. Prior to Jetcraft, Pascal was Sales Director for ExecuJet
Europe and Vice President Europe for NetJets.

Pascal is a multi-engine commercial IFR licensed pilot, a competitive rally car driver and is fluent in French, German and English. He currently resides in Dubai with his wife and four children.

Marc Bailey

British Business and General Aviation Association

CEO

Profile coming soon

Robert Baltus

EBAA

Chief Operations Officer

Robert Baltus’ aviation experience spans nearly 20 years advising and supporting senior management and executive Boards of a variety of aviation related companies. He has worked for aircraft management, fractional and charter operators and has built strong relationships with the leading business aviation companies in the industry. A business aviation specialist, Baltus is experienced in start-ups, fleet selection, training and strategic change management.

As Chief Operating Officer of the EBAA, Robert oversees a team of experts to monitor and provide analysis on European aviation policies, and is responsible for member engagement with events such as EBACE, EBAA Safety Summit and AirOps.

He has a business management degree from HES Amsterdam and an MSc in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, was a JAA Accountable manager and is a Commercial Pilot rated on the Boeing 737.

Brandon Battles

JSSI

Director, Director of Data Management and Product Development

Brandon Battles is responsible for data management and development of the Conklin & de Decker range of products and services at JSSI.  In addition, he provides consulting services to clients, primarily related to maintenance activities.

Mr. Battles has more than 35 years of aviation industry experience, including a previous role as the Manager of Direct Operating Cost Programs for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. While collecting maintenance cost data and working with a variety of operators, he has gained valuable insight about the many business issues aviation and maintenance organizations face on a daily basis.

Mr. Battles has been active in several industry roles that supplement his professional career. He founded and served as the chairman of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Economics Committee for 12 years, conducted several management clinics focusing on different areas that affect a company’s cost of operation, and has written many articles covering costs of operation for industry publications. Additionally, Mr. Battles led the HAI Helicopter Maintenance Managers Course for 23 years and has instructed the same course for the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA). He also taught an HAI and Conklin & de Decker course on direct operating costs for several years.

Mr. Battles received his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1985.

Fabian Bello

Journey Aviation

CEO

Fabian Bello is CEO and founding member of Journey Aviation, one of the world’s top Gulfstream operators. Under his leadership, the company has demonstrated notable growth since its inception in January of 2014, exceeding $200 million USD in total revenue within its first 5 years in business, while establishing itself as an industry preferred quality operator. In April 2019, Bello acquired Longtail Aviation, the only AOC in Bermuda which currently operates a BBJ and can operate any aircraft with no weight or seat restrictions.

While in the aviation industry, Mr. Bello has held various positions, such as executive vice-president and president/CEO of an international division, as well as president/CEO of other related aviation companies.  Most notably, Mr. Bello is known for managing the introduction of Deer Jet’s BBJ’s and ACJ fleet into the Middle East, catapulting the company’s penetration into the international markets.

Prior to entering the aviation industry, Mr. Bello worked in the logistics industry, working for a top worldwide logistics company with over $3 billion USD yearly turnover.   In addition to his extensive business knowledge, Mr. Bello has vast experience working with and uniting diverse cultures worldwide; particularly Hispanic, European, Asian and of Arabic regions. He has an innate ability of bringing and keeping individuals working together in pursuit of a common goal.  Getting things done effectively, efficiently and with the buy-in of all related parties is one of the strongest attributes to his management style.

Mr. Bello was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to Miami, Florida at the age of three.  He was raised in South Florida and attended the University of Miami where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing in preparation for his management career.

Stockton Birthisel

Atlas Corporate Services

Founder

Stockton Birthisel is the founder of Atlas Corporate Services Limited, a boutique fiduciary based in the Isle of Man which specialises in the establishment and administration of corporate vehicles for aviation, which is owned by Cavendish Trust Company Limited. Stockton was an early pioneer in the importation of aircraft in the Isle of Man, his first import dating from the early 2000’s, long before the creation of the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry made it fashionable in the jurisdiction. With nearly twenty years of experience in the field, Stockton is well-versed in the VAT and Customs law aspects of aircraft and has been actively pursuing client solutions in the post-Brexit environment. Stockton has a number of Russian high-net worth individuals and corporates amongst his clientele.

Mark Bisset

Clyde & Co

Partner

Mark is Head of Aviation Finance, Clyde & Co, London.
Clyde & Co is a global law firm with a focus on five core sectors: transport, insurance, energy, trade & commodities and infrastructure. The firm employs 2,000 legal professionals in 52 offices in every worldwide region.

Mark’s experience includes loan and lease financing, operating leases and tax-based leases, export credit finance, and aircraft purchase and trading, in a wide variety of jurisdictions.
Mark has been very active over the last 15+ years in the business jet market, acting for financiers, owners and operators. In 2017, Mark was ranked as a Band 1 individual in Private Aircraft (Global-wide) in Chambers High Net Worth, and Clyde & Co was similarly first-ranked. Spear’s Magazine describes Mark as an “eminence grise” of business aviation.
Who’s Who Legal Aviation has commented that Mark is an “exceptional finance lawyer with extensive knowledge of both the commercial airline and business jet market.”
Mark also has extensive aviation regulatory experience, including recently advice on ownership and control issues, sanctions, and slots trading. Mark has recently been heavily involved in Brexit-related advice and led the Clyde & Co team which in January 2018 published the report “Brexit scenarios for business aviation” for the EBAA.

Mark is contributing editor of the annual publication “Getting the Deal Through – Aviation Finance and Leasing 2018” and co-editor of “Getting the Deal Through – Air Transport 2018”. He is the co-author of “Aviation Insurance Issues in Law and Practice from the Lessor/Lender Perspective”.
Mark is a Guest Lecturer at the International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden University.

Derek Bloom

Atlantic Aviation Legal Services

Partner

Derek Bloom has focused his practice on aircraft transactions since 2006, representing aircraft brokers and private individuals.

Derek holds a Masters Degree in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center (1989) a J.D. from Boston University School of Law (1984), and a B.A. from Brown University (1981). Derek is a member of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia.

Derek has recently been listed in The International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers as an expert on Russian aviation matters and is fluent in Russian. He has represented Russian clients in multiple aircraft purchases and sales, and advises, among other things, on the operation of foreign registered aircraft in the US and Russia, and on the operation of U.S. registered aircraft in the European Union.

Anja Bonacci

Collins Aerospace

Director, Global Customer Experience, Business Aviation Digital Solutions

Anja Bonacci is the Director of Global Customer Experience for the Business Aviation Digital Services group at Collins Aerospace. In this role she is responsible for leading a team that is focused on delivering outstanding customer service as well as looking at ways to continually improve customer support for business aircraft operators.

Bonacci’s career in the aviation industry started as a pilot for Swiss International Airlines and spans different roles in the corporate aviation industry. She joined Collins Aerospace in 2004 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility.

Felipe Bonsenso

CAL Law

Partner
Felipe is a Partner in CAL’s São Paulo office specialising in aviation law, particularly in regulatory matters and aircraft finance with extensive knowledge of the Brazilian market and the country’s legal framework.
He has assisted several Brazilian and international banks with the development and implementation of structured finance transactions for business and commercial aviation, from simple operating leases to highly complex EETCs (the first and only one for Latin America) and cross-border loans.

Over the last few years he has been deeply involved with corporate jet deals, providing services to an array of clients (individuals, corporations and banks) for the purchase, sale, importation and financing of aeronautical equipment, with more than 50 successful transactions on his portfolio. Felipe has also over 200 commercial aviation (airline) deals on his transaction history.

Felipe is recognised by leading legal directories including Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500 and Euromoney Expert Guides for his outstanding practice in transportation and aviation. He is the first Latin American attorney listed as a ‘Rising Star’ by the ‘Airfinance Journal’. Felipe is a Board Member and Director of Regional Outreach of the MAC Protocol Working Group, participating on the UNIDROIT project for development and implementation of an additional protocol to the Cape Town Convention. He is also a Professor of Aviation Law in São Paulo for post-graduate students.

Felipe Bonsenso Veneziano holds a Master’s degree, with distinction, and Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of São Paulo. His Master’s dissertation was the first academic work in Brazil to thoroughly study the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol.

Nancy Bsales

4AIR

COO, Sustainability

Nancy directly contributed into the voluntary market as a carbon offset provider and strategist for over 15 years, specializing in business aviation, building corporate portfolios and launching consumer offset programs. Her innovative first of its kind programs include corporate aviation, charter and jet card programs, OEMs, large scale events, shipping and commercial travel. Her deep knowledge of the carbon market, that can only come from building one of the first offset providers in the US, has led her to 4AIR. A comprehensive sustainable solution for private aviation with streamline access to tools, environmental products, offsets and fuel markets to meet reduction goals. Her passion for aviation and its sustainable future brings a unique understanding for a robust roadmap for climate success for the private aviation community.

Michel Buffat

Credit Suisse

Head of Aviation & Yacht Finance

Michel Buffat joined Credit Suisse in 2001 after having spent eight years at a blue chip Swiss engineering firm. Michel has held various corporate finance positions before he joined the aircraft and yachts finance team in 2005. There he has been serving the bank’s ultra high net worth clients in various positions, such as sales manager, head of transactions as well as responsible for portfolio and recovery management. Since 2018 Michel is heading the team and is in charge of Credit Suisse’s global aviation and yacht finance business.

Michel is an active member of the wider business aviation community. Until 2018, he was chairing the EBAA AMAC Financier’s Subcommittee. He is regularly participating as speaker in CJI and other industry events.

Michel holds an MBA from the University of Rochester as well as a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

Joe Catarina

Global Jet Capital

Chief Credit Officer

Paul Cawley

KPMG

Director – Tax

Paul is a Tax Director at KPMG in the Isle of Man who specialises in VAT and Customs and International Trade. Paul joined KPMG in 2010 having spent the previous 5 years working for Isle of Man Customs & Excise. He is involved in providing UK and Isle of Man VAT advisory services on a wide range of issues including property, yachting, aviation, trust, financial and electronic services. In addition to VAT, Paul specialises in the fields of Customs and International Trade, particularly import/export procedures.

Christian Certa

Credit Suisse

Vice President Aviation & Yacht Finance

Christian Certa joined Credit Suisse Aviation and Yacht Finance in 2017 and is responsible for Central and Eastern Europe. Before joining Credit Suisse, Christian had a 11 year career with General Electric. At GE Christian was for 7 years sales director for GE Corporate Aircraft Finance EMEA where he gained extensive aircraft finance & leasing and aircraft remarketing experience. Previously Christian was heading a branch network at GE Money Bank Switzerland and held roles as sales manager for industrial leasing with GE Capital.

At Credit Suisse Aviation and Yacht Finance, Christian is responsible for originating new transactions in the private jet / business jet and super yachting space, with a focus on Russia, Central Asia, Central Europe and Israel. Christian is based at Credit Suisse head office in Zurich.

Christian holds a Master degree from Bocconi University Milan and an MBA from RSM Erasmus University Rotterdam. Christian is German & Italian and is also fluent in French and English and is able to hold conversations in Russian.

Michael Skou Christensen

Satcom Direct

Vice President

Michael Skou Christensen has over ten years of experience with satellite communications within the private aviation industry. In 2013, Michael lead the opening of SD’s Australasia office, where he acted as Managing Director until 2016. He is now the Vice President for SD International, where he is responsible  for establishing and growing the sales, support, marketing and training presence across the international
business. His various roles throughout his time in aviation have seen him involved with many different parts of the value chain, from OEMs and completion centers to end-customers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and a master’s degree in International Management.

David Clark

Integris Aviation Group

Managing Director
For over 30 years, David Clark has delivered value in the private aviation industry through several key roles working with international corporations and Family Offices. During that time, Dave has overseen over $100 million in private aircraft transactions. His highly relational approach and deep commitment to understanding the client’s deepest concerns ensure that their interests are always protected. David is an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager, Airline Transport Pilot, and has held roles as Aviation Manager, Pilot and Aircraft Sales Director. Fluent in Portuguese and English, he divides his time between North and South America working with Family Offices and companies large & small to bring the best solutions for those who rely most on business aviation.

Harry Clarke

Avinode Group

Head of Insight & Analytics 

Harry Clarke is Head of Insight & Analytics for Avinode Group. He is responsible for bringing a data informed approach to everything that Avinode Group does – from product development to analyzing and predicting industry trends.

Harry has spent the best part of a decade in the aviation industry since graduating from Oxford University. Prior to entering the world of private aviation in 2018, he was responsible for designing and optimizing revenue management algorithms at low-cost travel pioneer easyJet. He is particularly interested in how private aviation can use data to make more informed decisions.

Alexandria Colindres

The Registry of Aruba

Chief Executive Officer

Alexandria Colindres is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer at the Registry of  Aruba, after eight years tenure with the Registry. Alexandria worked her way up from her early position in Marketing and Business Development she was appointed as COO in 2018 and now CEO.

She holds a degree in Fine Art from Tufts University and graduated from Columbia College
Summa Cum Laude in 2010, when obtaining her master’s degree. After graduation, she went on to manage Spinello Projects, one of Miami’s most successful and reputable art galleries; developing relationships with many local and international collectors, artists, and arts organizations and homing in on her ability to build strategic partnerships.

Combining her passion in the arts with her family’s heritage in Aviation, she is revitalizing
the aesthetic image portrayed by the Registry of Aruba and using her public relations skills
to enhance customer satisfaction.
Based out of the Miami office, for the past eight years, she currently oversees the organization’s ongoing operations and procedures and continues to strengthen the already tight bond with the DCA of Aruba.

In 2019, she was recognized for her achievements in the field and received the Sapphire Pegasus Business Aviation Award for Young Talent/StartUps.
Alexandria works directly with Aruba’s civil aviation authority and offers support to the various other departments to keep continuous communication throughout. At the Registry of Aruba, Alexandria has cultivated strong relationships with clients/customers, team
members, and the community which has resulted in significant increases in the success of
numerous projects and a stellar reputation in the aviation industry; she is a vital asset to the registry.

Len Cormer

Bermuda Aicraft Registry

Safety Oversight Advisor

Captain Len Cormier is the Safety Oversight Advisor for the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). He is responsible for advising the units Director General on all aspects of the BCAA safety oversight programme, including the implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) by service providers.

Prior to working in Bermuda, Len was engaged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for 14 years as a Chief Technical Advisor in the Asia Pacific region. Over this period, he was responsible for assisting states in in strengthening their safety oversight programmes.

He was previously engaged by Transport Canada for 20 years as an inspector and manager in the area of personnel licensing, aerodromes and flight standards. For most of that period, he was responsible for the development of air operator regulations and standards, as well as oversight of air operators.

Len began his aviation career as a pilot for various air operators in Canada. He holds a Canadian Airline Transport Pilots License and is type qualified on the DC-3, C550, CL601, B737, B757, B767 airplanes and on the Bell 206 helicopter.

Steve Csonka

Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)

Executive Director

Steve Csonka is an ardent advocate for the aviation industry who seeks pragmatic solutions to the challenges of aviation growth.  Built upon strong technical experience that spanned the breadth of the commercial aircraft/engine life-cycle, Steve’s capabilities and initiative have led to his various engagements in business development and long-term, strategic planning for the aviation enterprise over the past fifteen years.  Such work has focused on the nexus of future product requirements, technology progression, and industry value propositions, including aspects of policy, advocacy, regulatory affairs, and environmental impact.

Steve’s overall industry engagement led to his current role as Executive Director of CAAFI (the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, www.caafi.org) where he leads this Public-Private Partnership working toward the development and commercialization of sustainable alternative jet fuels (SAJF).  He has been in this role since 2012, directing the CAAFI efforts of its 1200+ members and 500+ organizations who share the industry vision of enabling the decoupling of net carbon growth from expected sectoral growth.  CAAFI engagement occurs through several work teams and public-private initiatives, and it seeks to be a force multiplier for a wide range of efforts required to achieve significant uptake of low net-carbon SAJF.

Steve is a commercial aviation professional with 35 years of broad, strategic airline and aviation OEM experience (GE Aircraft Engines, American Airlines, GE Aviation, and CAAFI).  He holds BS and MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering.  He has served in leadership, steering committee, and BOD roles with multiple aviation industry organizations (AIA, ICCAIA, IATA, GAMA, ICAO/CAEP, ATAG, Carbon War Room) in areas of technology and environmental progression.  His CAAFI role has also led to appointments to advisory/leadership roles with the USDA/DOE BRDB TAC, the USDA/DOT/DOE/Industry Farm-to-Fly 2.0 initiative, USDA/NIFA/AFRI CAP projects, and study committee work of the National Research Council.

Alan Cunningham

DLA Piper LLP

Partner

Alan acts for banks, leasing companies, airlines, business jet operators, ship owners, ship management companies, data centre providers, contract hire and fleet management companies, OEMs and high net worth individuals.

Alan advises on all aspects of PDP and stage-payment financing, debt financing, operating lease, finance lease and hire-purchase structures, export credit backed financing, residual value guarantee arrangements and tax structures.

Angie Deady-Fiddler

Martyn Fiddler Aviation

Director

Angie Deady-Fiddler is a director of Martyn Fiddler Aviation now based at their Shannon, Ireland office, and previously at Stansted, UK.
Angie manages the Ireland, UK and Netherlands businesses.
Having previously worked extensively in customer service roles and administration services, Angie joined Martyn Fiddler in 2000 and has led and managed the import, export and customs team for over 20 years.
Angie oversees several unique customs approvals in the Netherlands, UK and Isle of Man that offer a wide variety of options and solutions to clients when they are buying, selling, importing, or exporting aircraft, all to ensure the customs VAT and duty is dealt with in the most efficient and seamless way.
Angie’s understanding and in-depth knowledge of customs rules allow her to navigate the customs requirements for client aircraft with minimal delay and inconvenience.
This knowledge combined with her incredible memory for previously imported and exported aircraft ensure Angie is the go-to person for leading professionals when they require aircraft customs assistance in the EU.

Don Dwyer

Guardian Jet

Managing Partner

Don Dwyer, Guardian Jet’s co-managing partner, is particularly regarded for his extensive expertise on aircraft finance, asset management, fleet planning and aircraft sales.
He spent most of his career rising through ranks at the aircraft manufacturer, Hawker Beechcraft. As their Vice President of Global Sales, he led the entire sales team, had responsibility for $2 billion in revenue and oversaw the company’s international dealer network.
In 2010, Don Dwyer joined his brother, Michael, as co-managing partner of Guardian Jet. Since then, Guardian Jet has become one of the top three aircraft brokerage and consulting firms in the world.
An avid sailor, Don is also a 4,500-hour commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. He is the President of the Board of Challenge America, and is a former board member for Challenge Aspen, a world-renowned organization devoted to recreational therapy for all types of disabled persons

Dave Edwards

Windsor Capital LLP

Managing Partner

Dave’s career has taken him through all areas of the aviation industry, including flight operations, ground services and maintenance into senior executive roles with leading airlines and aviation companies.

He is Managing Partner of Windsor Capital LLP, a small investment fund operating mainly the aviation industry, including Synergy Aviation, Oaklands Global, Flying Support and Lazyriver Digital, as well as being a non-executive director of a number of companies, including Web Manuals International AB, the world’s leading aviation manuals digitizer.  Alongside his own business interests, he is the part-time CEO of BACA The Air Charter Association and a trustee of the aviation charity, fly2help.

Dave completed fifteen years with Gama Aviation plc as their Managing Director, Middle East and Asia and Group General Manager before moving to Qatar Airways Business Jet Division, Qatar Executive as Executive Vice President.

In 2010 he was elected as the youngest ever Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, in addition he is a member of the Royal Air Force Club, the Royal Aero Club, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, the Air League and is a Freeman of the City of London. When not playing with aeroplanes he continues to pretend he can play both the trumpet and golf.

Gwen Edwards

CMS Law

Partner

Gwen specialises in debt finance and leasing for both corporate and commercial aircraft. She advises financiers, lessors, airlines and owners across a broad range of cross-border aircraft transactions, including portfolio migrations, aircraft acquisitions and disposals, lease and loan financings, sale and leaseback transactions, export credit and PDP facilities. She also has significant experience of distressed debt, restructuring and aircraft repossessions.

Marine Eugene

Flexjet

Managing Director, International Markets

Marine Eugène, the managing director of Flexjet in Europe, is an experienced aviation executive, with a proven track record in growing companies. Eugène joined NetJets Europe in 2002, when the company’s presence on the continent was at an embryonic stage. She was instrumental in orchestrating the expansion of NetJets’ sales organization after the economic crises of 2009 and 2011, successfully launching new fleets and program options. In 2011, Eugène became a member of NetJets’ European-wide executive leadership, with responsibility for the overall management of the company’s relations with senior executives and ultra-high net worth individuals.

Before that engagement, Eugène supported Sommet Education, the world’s most extensive and exclusive network of hospitality management institutions, as Director, Europe and the Middle East.

A French national who grew up in Le Havre in Normandy, Eugène has lived overseas for two decades, including in Shanghai, where she started her international career in 1999 with global logistics firm DB Schenker. She holds a degree from International Affairs College – Le Havre University. She currently resides in London, UK, with her family.

Robert Fisch

Luxaviation

President Aviation Services

Robert Fisch was born in Luxembourg. He studied law in Strasbourg and holds an Airline Transport Pilot License with instructor and examiner ratings. Robert’s business aviation experience started in 1998 when he was flying Learjets but also managing new projects for an US based operator. After six years spent abroad he helped two Austrian business jet operators in their expansion to become major European players. Robert joined Luxaviation in 2011. In January 2014, he was nominated managing director and accountable manager at Luxaviation Luxembourg. He speaks 6 languages and holds a world speed record. He resides in Luxembourg.

Marie-Laure Gassier

BNP Paribas

Senior Credit Advisor Jet & Yacht Finance

Marie-Laure Gassier is Head of Business Jet financing for BNP Paribas, based in Geneva.

Marie-Laure is a senior finance professional with over 20 years of experience with BNP Paribas in France, Singapore and Switzerland.
Marie-Laure has successfully grown over the last 10 years the business jet financing franchise of the bank for clients private and corporate. Since 2016, BNPP has set up in Switzerland a new platform dedicated to business jets and yachts financing, in order to serve better UHNWI clients.
Based in Geneva, the team is dedicated to providing jets and yachts financing solutions with a bespoke approach to a wide range of private clients. The focus is on transactions from 10 MUSD onwards for new or pre-owned aircraft with a global approach.

BNP Paribas is a leading bank in the Eurozone with a well-recognized footprint in Aviation and Shipping finance globally. Since 1981, the aviation finance department originates, arranges and distributes all types of aircraft financing solutions. With a global exposure in excess of 10 Bn USD and a portfolio of more than 1000 aircraft, the group maintains a prime and leading position in the transportation sector.

Marie-Laure holds a Political Science diploma with major and economics and finance (Sciences Po) and a Master Degree in History from Sorbonne University. She is a regular contributor at some major corporate jets conferences and events.

Robert Gates

Global Jet Capital

Head of International Originations

Robert Gates serves as the Head of International Originations for Global Jet Capital. Robert has over 20 years of experience in aircraft financing and leasing. Prior to joining GJC, he has held senior-level positions with Chase Manhattan Bank, Merrill Lynch and RPK Capital (a Carlyle Group portfolio company). He holds an MBA from Cornell University.

Jack Gilchrist

Gilchrist Aviation Law

Founding Director & Shareholder

Jack Gilchrist is the founding director and shareholder of Gilchrist Aviation Law, P.C., and heads the firm’s practice as special FAA and International Registry counsel with respect to transactions involving aircraft, engines, propellers and spare parts.

For almost 30 years Mr. Gilchrist has focused his career on aviation transactions, representing clients from all areas of the industry with regard to every current structure of aircraft and aircraft engine transaction. He has counseled clients around the world in aircraft transactions, including most of the major air carriers, aircraft and engine leasing companies, air cargo companies, corporations, banks and other lending institutions, as well as aircraft brokers, dealers and manufacturers. These transactions include the sale, purchase, lease and financing of large transport aircraft as well as business aircraft. He also counsels clients in connection with establishing and operating aircraft fractional ownership programs.

Mr. Gilchrist regularly assists clients in structuring transactions and working with pertinent documents with respect to their recordability with the Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Records Branch, in Oklahoma City, and the registration of International Interests under the Cape Town Convention, Aviation Protocol. He regularly serves as special FAA and International Registry counsel to other law firms and companies in aviation matters.

Mr. Gilchrist is also a frequent lecturer and author in the areas of aircraft financing, registration and title law. He is the author of numerous articles regarding aviation title and registration law. He has served as a lecturer for organizations such as the American Bar Association, the Transportation Lawyers Association, International Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.
Mr. Gilchrist serves on the Legal Advisory Panel to the Aviation Working Group under Unidroit, the management arm of the Cape Town Convention, Aviation Protocol. He is a member of the Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Federal, American and International Bar Associations. He is also a member of the Business Law Section, the Aircraft Financing Subcommittee and the Forum on Air and Space Law of the American Bar Association, as well as the Association of Aircraft Title Lawyers, the American Transportation Lawyers Association and the FBA Transportation Law Section.

Edward Gross

Vedder Price

Shareholder

Mr. Gross has 30 years of experience representing bank-affiliated and large, independent equipment financing companies in all aspects of equipment finance transactions, including documenting, structuring, negotiating, syndicating and enforcing these transactions. Mr. Gross is considered an industry leader in business aircraft and helicopter finance. These transactions vary in structure and include tax and non-tax lease, operating lease and secured loan financing of managed and/
or chartered aircraft, fleet aircraft and helicopters operated in various service capacities and engine
pools, aircraft operated under fractional and “pay card” arrangements and progress payment, completion and other multi-funding structures. Clients include market-leading aircraft and helicopter financing providers, investors or operating lessors, as well as large publicly or privately held businesses, governmental entities or high-net-worth individual users. Many of these transactions involve foreign registered aircraft. In 2016 through 2020, Mr. Gross was ranked Band 1 in Private Aircraft (Global-wide) in Chambers High Net Worth, which recognizes the world’s leading high-net-worth advisers and was also recognized among the world’s leading aviation attorneys by Euromoney’s Expert Guides “Aviation Guide”.

Daniel Hall

Ascend by Cirium

Senior Valuations Analyst. ISTAT Appraiser, ASA Senior Appraiser

Daniel is certified as both an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers and an Accredited Appraiser with the International Society for Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT). Based in Ascend by Cirium’s New York office, he has a comprehensive knowledge of the Commercial and Business Aviation sectors. His involvements include analysis of values, market insight & commentary, business development, and consultancy advisory. Daniel frequently works on Commercial & Business Aircraft Market Values and Appraisals, to both an ISTAT and ASA-compliant standard. Daniel specialises in the Business Aviation sector actively tracking Market Values and financing for over 50 Business Jet type families / 100 variants. His client interaction ranges with those representing banks, financiers, investors, airlines, lessors, and includes industry conference speaking.

Matt Halsey

Intelsat

Senior Advisor, Business Aviation Product Management

Matt Halsey is responsible for the business case, product development and lifecycle management of Intelsat’s business jet initiatives worldwide. He partners closely with all of Intelsat’s stakeholders, including program management, network operations, engineering, solutions management, regulatory, strategy, product marketing and sales to ensure the business jet products are aligned with market needs, customer requirements and emerging trends.

Matt brings over 20 years of satellite communications experience to this role and has held a variety of roles at Intelsat with increasing responsibility. He began his career at Cable & Wireless as part of the global business radio and satellite sales engineering support team.

Matt holds an engineering degree from City University, London.

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the largest, most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructure in the world. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to reliably and seamlessly connect people, devices and networks in even the most challenging and remote locations. Transformation happens when businesses, governments and communities build a ubiquitously connected future through Intelsat’s next-generation global network and simplified managed services. At Intelsat, we turn possibilities into reality. Imagine here, with us, at Intelsat.com.

Hamish Harding

Action Aviation

Chairman
Hamish Harding is the Chairman of Action Aviation, an international aircraft brokerage company with a long history in the Middle East and Asia.
Action Aviation sold over US$ 200 million of pre-owned business jets in 2015, and Action Aviation has, in recent months, sold a number of business jets to Asian buyers, including a Boeing Business Jet and a Gulfstream G650ER.
Hamish is enthusiastic about the potential in the Asian market for preowned business jets, both for sales and acquisitions, and sees business aviation partnerships as the way forward to better cover the geographically largest continent.
Hamish originally gained a degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. From there he joined UK IT consultancy company Logica and was involved in information technology for the banking sector throughout the 1990s, operating as Regional Managing Director for Logica in the Middle East and later India.
Hamish has been a pilot for over 30 years and holds an Airline Transport Pilot with a number of jet type ratings, and is the holder of several FAI speed records in business jets. He was a commissioned officer in the British Territorial Army for 8 years, and enjoys scuba diving, skydiving, snow skiing, golf and spending time with his young family in Dubai.

Clay Healey

AIC Title Service

CEO

Clay is a pioneer in the aviation services industry, leading technological innovation in the aviation services industry over the past 16 years. A seasoned pilot, Clay is licensed in the following: Cessna 525, Cessna 680, Pilatus PC-12, Baron G58, Cirrus SR22, BonanzaA36, Cessna 210. Cessna 172. and Grumman Tiger.

AIC is the global industry leader in aviation Title Services, Escrow, Document Filing, Lien Clearance, and International Registry filings. AIC is also the exclusive provider of title searches for AvSure, easing client access to aviation title insurance both domestically and internationally.

Customers can request title searches online, and complete escrow transactions all within the Aircraft Closing Room, the only virtual aircraft closing platform in the industry. Additionally, the Closing Room is protected by Blockchain, making AIC’s customer data the most secure in the industry. AIC’s team of 40+ employees boasts over 600 years of aviation experience and completes over 15,000 title searches and 4,000 closings annually. AIC uses this experience to bring ease and speed to an Aircraft Closing.

David Hernandez

Vedder Price

Shareholder

Mr. Hernandez has extensive experience assisting clients with a wide variety of business aircraft
transaction and regulatory matters, including aircraft purchase/sale agreements, aircraft flight department restructuring, aircraft management arrangements, fractional program documents, use policies, cross-border transactions, personal use of aircraft, joint-ownership use agreements and regulatory and enforcement matters. He is also a member of the National Business Aviation Association’s Tax Committee and a frequent speaker on various business aircraft and regulatory topics. Mr. Hernandez has been recognized among the world’s leading aviation attorneys by Euromoney Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides “Aviation Guide.”

Alireza Ittihadieh

Freestream Aircraft

President & CEO
Alireza graduated from Boston University School of Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has also attended post-graduate workshops in Business Management at Harvard University. Following graduation, Alireza joined the Republic National Bank of New York in New York City as a Trader. He was rapidly promoted to Lead Trader for the foreign exchange desk reporting to the Head Trader until he left to join The M Group. While there, he continued working as a Foreign Exchange Trader, specializing in Structured Finance Currency Derivatives. In 1992, he founded Freestream Aircraft Limited, where he continues as Director. Freestream Aircraft Limited is a Multi Faceted Aviation Company.

Rebecca Johnson

JetHQ

President, EMEA Rebecca may have grown up in California and gone to San Jose State University, but her career has long since taken her past her Golden State roots. She’s been a demonstration pilot all over the world as part of Hawker Beechcraft. As a corporate pilot, she flew various VIPs to their global business destinations. She’s been in charge of Gulfstream’s sales territory in southern Europe.

Her varied experiences and deep outdoors passion exemplify a “typical” JetHQ leader, who isn’t merely a collection of words on a resume. Rebecca has flown far and raced hard, both in cycling and triathlon. She doesn’t sit still for long. 

Rebecca’s home in Switzerland serves as an excellent base for monitoring the continents large aviation community and scenic bicycle rides through the mountains. Knowing the industry well, she carves out an inside path to JetHQ’s next prospect. 

Athar Husain Khan

EBAA

Secretary-General
Athar has spent the last 25 years as a leader, aero-political negotiator, lawyer, advocacy specialist and CEO in various aviation organisations and companies, in both the public and private arena. Using his experience in the international aero-political world and proven track record in association management, Athar continues to strengthen and advocate for the European business aviation industry in the Brussels’ arena.

As Secretary-General of the EBAA, Athar stands at the helm of Europe’s leading aviation association, strengthening the voice of business aviation in Europe at the highest EU political and institutional levels.

Athar is an Air & Space law expert by education. He received his Master of Law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and followed post-graduate courses in law, communications, management, finance, natural leadership and coaching. Prior to working at the EBAA, he held senior positions at AEA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Education and Science. He is married with one son, is a keen sportsman and holds a private pilot license.

Kennedy Ricci

4AIR

President

Kennedy serves as the President of 4AIR, a sustainability arm of Tuvoli, to offer expertise and guidance for creating meaningful sustainability commitments focused on aviation. Kennedy has worked to promote a more comprehensive and long-term way of thinking about sustainability for aviation while providing increased transparency, comparability, and ease of starting a program. Kennedy is a passionate general aviation pilot and has a degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Marwan Khalek

Gama Aviation

CEO

Following a management career in the manufacturing industry Marwan started Gama Aviation Ltd in 1983 in the UK with his business partner Stephen Wright. He has overseen the group’s expansion from its foundation to its current multinational status encompassing many varied markets and areas in the aviation industry. Marwan continues to take a very active and hands on role in all aspects of the group’s development and has also headed the group’s expansion into the US market.

Richard Koe

WINGX

Managing Director

Richard Koe is managing director of WINGX Advance GmbH. WINGX, based in Germany and founded in 2012, provides business intelligence for the global business aviation market.
WINGX’ expertise is derived from tracking flight records and the research of all associated data points which enable it to provide a global analysis of market conditions and trends. From this data infrastructure, WINGX builds insights, reports and dashboards through which it
supplies actionable intelligence to support our customers’ decision-making.

In today’s uncertain market, WINGX analysis and understanding of prevailing trading conditions provide critical insights enabling companies across the sector to survive and thrive.

WINGX customers span the entire industry supply chain, from airports, operators and
manufacturers to industry investors and financial analysts.

Prior to senior management roles in business aviation operations and investment, Richard has worked widely across several technology and manufacturing industries, picking up decades of high level business analysis experience. Richard has a first class bachelor’s degree from Oxford University and a master’s degree in international business relations from Johns Hopkins University.

Guillaume Landrivon

Bombardier Aviation

Vice President, Smart Services and Programs

Guillaume Landrivon is Vice President, Smart Services and Programs at Bombardier Aviation. In his role, he is responsible for driving the success and continued enhancement of Bombardier’s pioneering cost-per-hour service programs, which have provided customers with high-quality, genuine Bombardier parts for more than three decades. He is also tasked
with driving development of new and innovative aftermarket services.

Throughout his career, Mr. Landrivon has developed a strong expertise in customer service, customer relations, technical support and business development. He joined Bombardier in 2017 as Vice President, Parts Services, where he oversaw the growth and expansion of
Bombardier’s worldwide Parts Services team.
Most recently, Mr. Landrivon was instrumental in leading the customer services and support team in the negotiations of key divestitures completed by Bombardier. Prior to joining Bombardier, Mr. Landrivon spent 20 years at Dassault Aviation, where he held various
leadership positions in customer relations, field services and spare parts. His last two roles at Dassault included Director of Field Service and Customer Relations and Vice President, Worldwide Falcon Spares and Supplier Management. Mr. Landrivon also led the company’s spare parts strategy and logistics efforts to support in-service fleet and expand its worldwide network of facilities.

Mr. Landrivon has an extensive knowledge of aviation and holds an engineering degree in Aeronautics from ESTACA in Paris (École supérieure des techniques aéronautiques et de construction automobile). He also holds an FAA IFR single engine private pilot license.
Mr. Landrivon is based at Bombardier headquarters in Montreal, Canada

Tobias Laps

Comlux

Executive Vice President, Sales

After graduating from the University of Stuttgart and the Georgia Institute of Technology both with a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering Tobias Laps started his career at Jet Aviation in Basel in aircraft completions in 1999 as an engineer. Spending 5 years at Jet Aviation he was promoted to engineering project coordinator after only 6 months and Sales & Program Manager after 2 and half years selling various completion projects. After that he worked for 4 years at a subsidiary of Saab in Hamburg as a Branch Manager winning customers and growing the business significantly. He then was offered a job at ExecuJet in aircraft sales and later as a General Manager of the Berlin facility. Before joining Comlux, he was recruited as Head of Sales at RUAG in Munich in the area of business aircraft maintenance and refurbishment where he was able to secure large cabin modification and refurbishment projects.
Tobias also holds a Private Pilot License since over 20 years and is passionate about aviation.
Tobias joined the Comlux team in November of 2015 as Vice President Sales for Western Europe, Asia and India. In 2018, Tobias is appointed Senior Vice President, Head of Sales for Large VIP Aircraft.

In 2019, Tobias was promoted Executive Vice President Sales, Large VIP aircraft.

Irakli Litanishvili

Emperor Aviation

Director & Founder

Since 2013, the moment of incorporation of his first European Company, Maltese AOC holder Emperor Aviation LTD. – Irakli has significantly increased his business presence, which today is covering almost all segments of business aviation. The group consists of more than 15 companies which include charter brokerage, international aircraft handling, aircraft, helicopters and yachts sales and acquisition, travel and marketing divisions and has more than 200 employees. Aim of Emperor group now represents HondaJet and Daher Kodiak aircraft on the territory of all FSU countries.

In 2020 Irakli and his team reached another significant milestone: establishment of a new Russian air carrier with its own AOC – SkyLight air operator.

Besides, the team set up a unique IT-company aimed at digitalization of aviation industry main services due to the latest technologies to make the working process easier both for service providers and users.

Francisco Lyra

C Fly Aviation

Partner

Francisco Lyra is a Brazilian entrepreneur, with a career spanning over 41 years in aviation. Founding partner of companies in: Airport Infrastructure (greenfield airport and high density parking scheme); Aeronautical University; IBAS – International Brazil Air Show; Aircraft Management and Brokerage; Inflight Foodservice; Marketing and Advertising agency.

Married, 58yo, two sons, born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Capt. Lyra logged over 17,000 flight hours’ onboard airliners and business aircraft. Holds a B.S. in Business Administration at University of Sao Paulo.

Keynote speaker at conventions and universities in the USA, UK, Switzerland and Canada. Consultant to the IDB International Development Bank. Lecturer at Congressional commissions on themes such as aviation infrastructure, Labor laws, etc.

Kevin MacNaughton

Air Partner Inc.

Managing Director – Charter

Kevin has a wealth of experience in the aviation charter industry, both in the UK and overseas, having held a number of senior roles at NetJets over a period of 13 years. Most recently, he was Company Director, Head of European Sales, leading the planning and execution of the sales strategy.

Bruce Marshall

AIC Title Service

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Bruce L. Marshall joined AIC Title Service as its Executive Vice President and General Counsel in February 2014, helping ensure that AIC’s clients and leadership are protected as they move through unprecedented FAA and industry changes. On August 30, 2017 he was a recipient of the 2017 First Chair Top General Counsel Award. The First Chair Awards is an annual selection of in-house counsel who have, thorough their hard work and innovation, made significant contributions to the legal community nationwide. Bruce was also recognized in the November 2013 issue of D CEO Magazine as one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s top corporate attorneys following his win as Outstanding General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer in the Small Legal Department category at the Association of Corporate Counsel and D CEO’s 2013 Corporate Counsel Awards. Individually a 2011 winner of the General Counsel Forum’s Magna Stella Award in the Small Legal Department category and finalist in the Major Litigation category, Bruce and his team also won Texas Lawyers 2013 Legal Department of the Year in the Diversity and Quality of Life category. With over 20 years experience in aviation legal matters, specializing in contracts, regulations, and litigation, he previously served as Senior Director and Division General Counsel of Bombardier’s Flexjet fractional aircraft ownership program where he strategically managed two cases challenging state and federal taxes that affected the entire fractional aircraft ownership industry and resulted in the refund of millions of dollars of paid taxes.

Prior to joining Flexjet, Bruce served as corporate counsel and business manager for a charter management company with both Part 135 on-demand air cargo and passenger operations, served as vice president and legal officer for a major financial institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in private practice, he represented banks, construction companies, transportation companies, and employee benefits funds in commercial litigation matters. Bruce graduated from Purdue University and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. He serves as a frequent speaker or panellist at aviation industry events.

Per Marthinsson

Avinode Group

Co-founder & Managing Director

Per Marthinsson co-founded Avinode in 2001, alongside Niklas Berg and Niclas Wennerholm. They had the youthfully grand ambition to pull the printed directory-bound charter industry into the digital world, with the vision of making it as easy to book a private jet as it is to book a commercial flight. Fifteen years later, the trio are now universally accepted as responsible for revolutionizing the way the business aviation industry operates.

In just a decade and a half, Avinode has grown to become the world’s leading online marketplace for buying and selling air charter. The Marketplace is utilized by over 80% of the global charter market, and this number is growing, with half a million trip requests sent through the system on a monthly basis.

The Avinode Group now also streamlines how flights are managed, sold and operated through its sister company SchedAero – a modern, web-based flight scheduling system, currently used by 400 companies worldwide. And in November 2016, the Group launched their answer to the final pain-point in the industry: PayNode, the world’s first payment platform created specifically for the business aviation market. Through these three complementary offerings, the Avinode Group presents an unrivalled, end-to-end solution for the charter space.

Mark Masluch

Bombardier Aviation

Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Since 2016, Mark Masluch has led the Bombardier Aviation Public Affairs and
Communications organization. Under his leadership, this worldwide team oversees Industry Affairs and advocacy, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Public & Media Relations  and Employee & Customer Communications—all related to Bombardier’s leading portfolio of Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft, a growing number of special-mission aircraft
conversions, an evolving portfolio of aerostructures and engineering services, and an expanding global network of aircraft MRO and support locations.

Mr. Masluch represents Bombardier on the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Environment Committee and is Chair of the GAMA Carbon Offset Working Group. He is a popular speaker across the industry, particularly on the environment and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). He also sits on Aéro Montreal’s Comité image, influence et marketing. Over the past decade at Bombardier, Mr. Masluch has led communications and public affairs
functions across a variety of business segments, with a heavy focus on community involvement, honing the company’s outreach to future generations of Aircraft Maintenance
Technicians and Pilots and driving environmental stewardship through the adoption of SAF— all while promoting Bombardier’s award-winning business jets and support services.

Mr. Masluch began his aerospace career as part of the communication team at Air Canada Vacations and then transitioned to aviation training leader CAE. He joined Bombardier in 2009 as part of the communications team dedicated to Bombardier’s Customer Experience network supporting business and commercial aircraft.

Based at Bombardier Aviation headquarters in Dorval, Quebec, Mr. Masluch holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal.

Steve McManus

GE Aviation

Sales Director

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Steve is an educated degreed engineer, Six Sigma Master blackbelt, working sales professional with a strong background in private, business, and commercial aviation. Having 35 years of experience at GE in engineering, customer/product support and sales, Steve’s primary focus is business aviation engine and OnPoint sales and service on GE CF34, Passport and CFM engines powering Boeing Business Jets, Airbus Corporate Jets, Bombardier and Embraer Business Jets within his regions around the world.

As a pilot, Steve comes from a family of pilots and has enjoyed the pleasure and challenges of aircraft ownership as well. Combining his years of professional experience with his passion for Aviation, Steve brings a firsthand understanding of business aircraft management and ownership to his customers.

Scott McCreary

McAfee & Taft

Shareholder, Practice Group Leader

Scott McCreary represents local, national and international clients in connection with matters involving the buying, selling, leasing and financing of aircraft. His practice is primarily focused on matters relating to the Cape Town Convention, the Federal Aviation Act and the FAA Aircraft Registry, such as aircraft title, registration, finance and leasing law, as well as regulatory issues relating to the operation of aircraft under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Scott is a frequent speaker at aviation conferences in the United States and abroad and has made presentations at venues such as the Strategic Research Institute’s Annual FAA Aircraft Registration, Lien & Securities Interest Conference; the Federal Bar Association’s Aircraft Title, Registration, Finance and Leasing Law Conference; the Institute for International Research’s Corporate Aviation Symposium; the NBAA’s Cape Town International Registry Meeting; and the Geneva International Forum on Aircraft Finance & Commercial Aviation.

His achievements in the area of aviation law have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (equipment finance law), Oklahoma Super Lawyers, The International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal.

Scott currently serves on the Regulatory Issues Advisory Group and the Tax Committee of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). He has previously served as the leader of the firm’s Aviation Group and on McAfee & Taft’s board of directors.

Rob Miller

The Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge

Director, The Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge 

Rob Miller is Professor of Aerothermal technology, Director of the Whittle Laboratory, Director of the Rolls-Royce Whittle University Technology Centre, Director of the UK EPSRC Centre of Doctoral Training in Future Propulsion and Power and is a member of the UK Department for Transport Science Advisory Council.

His research focuses on the decarbonisation of the aerospace and the power generation sectors. He is passionate about the practical applications of his research, holding 11 patents and working closely with industries such as Rolls-Royce, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Siemens and Dyson. He led the team which developed Rapid Technology Development, the process of reducing the time between, design, test and learning by a factor of between 10 and 100. During the pandemic the Rapid Technology Development process was switched to developing a low-cost ventilator. Teams from across the Cambridge cluster were brought together with Prodrive, Beko, Defy, and Denel. The result was the development of a flexible, intensive care-grade ventilator, the first to be manufactured in Africa. The project was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering President’s Medal for Pandemic Service, recognising exceptional examples of engineering.

His honours include the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Thomas Hawksley Gold Medal (2010) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2008). He has won the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Best Paper Award eight times and their highest honour in the field, The Gas Turbine Award, four times.

Karl Mills

TAG Aviation

Charter Manager

Profile coming soon

Isabelle Newson

Credit Suisse

Director

Isabelle Newson started her business aviation career in a law firm in London representing owners, operators and banks. In 2007 she joined the Business Aviation team of Credit Suisse in Zurich and has since 2015 been based in Mexico City where she is responsible for Credit Suisse’s Latin American corporate jet and yacht financing business. Credit Suisse has a strong network in Latin America with offices in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Sao Paulo, Rio, Buenos Aires, Bogota and Santiago and Isabelle has concluded transactions in most of these locations since moving to the region.

Tim Obitts

NATA

President & CEO

Timothy R. Obitts was named President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in January of 2020.

Obitts most recently served as the Association’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the day-to-day operation of NATA.

Prior to joining NATA in November 2014, Obitts served as the managing partner of Gammon & Grange, P.C., a national practice law firm specializing in nonprofit and communications law. During Obitts’ 18 years at Gammon & Grange, he served as corporate counsel and general counsel for many nonprofits and trade associations, handling a wide array of issues that affect their day-to-day activities and also lobbied Capitol Hill and federal agencies.

Obitts earned a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from California Western School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree, double major Philosophy and History, from Gordon College, where he also was named All-New England in Tennis, NAIA. Obitts is licensed to practice law in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia and Virginia, as well as numerous federal and appellate courts, and the U.S Supreme Court. Obitts co-founded several nonprofit organizations and serves on several nonprofit boards. Obitts and his wife of 20 years, Krista, have five children, ranging in age from seven to seventeen.

Aoife O'Sullivan

The Air Law Firm

Partner
Aoife is an owning partner of The Air Law Firm, a boutique law firm dedicated to the aviation industry. She specialises in international and cross-border aircraft finance, sale and leasing in the commercial and corporate aviation sector. She advises clients on aircraft finance and regulatory issues, including corporate structures, aircraft acquisitions and airline start-ups. Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine named her as one of the Top 10 Leaders in business aviation in Europe. Aoife is Chair of the British Business and General Association who liaise closely with Government, regulatory bodies and industry on matters affecting the business aviation community. Aoife has been independently nominated by her clients, contacts and peers for inclusion in all exclusive industry and legal guides for her work in aviation law and her contribution to the industry, including Chambers; Legal 500: Finance; Euromoneys Women in Business; Expert Guides: Aviation; International Who’s Who of Aviation Finance Lawyers; Best Lawyers; Who’s Who Legal; and Lawyers World Leading Lawyer Awards.
Aoife is regularly invited to speak at international aviation conferences and events. She writes for and has been quoted in all major leading publications including the Financial Times, BART, Fly Corporate, Airfinance Journal and Altitudes.
Aoife was admitted as a Solicitor in Ireland in 1997, England and Wales in 1998 and admitted to the Supreme Court of the Cayman Islands in 2002.

Adrian Parcell-Jones

Martyn Fiddler Aviation

Tax Director

Adrian Jones is a director of Martyn Fiddler Aviation and a Chartered Tax Advisor. Adrian joined the team in 2014 and spearheaded the tax consultancy division of the business. Having worked for over 20 years’ in customs, government, leading tax advisory firms and his own business, Adrian has used his combined experience to tailor the services he provides to clients and their aircraft.

Adrian’s attention to detail together with his extensive knowledge of VAT rules relating to aircraft allows him to customise advice to each client’s individual circumstances to ensure maximum compliance with all applicable rules. His success has led to Adrian being appointed by his peers as the only EU member of the NBAA Tax Committee. Similar peer recommendation has led to Adrian holding positions on tax committees in the EU and UK.

Chris Partridge

Deutsche Bank

Director – Head of Private Aviation Finance

An aviation industry professional with over 30 years experience in various elements of the aviation sector. He started out training as a pilot on a Royal Air Force Scholarship, moved into a role as an aerial surveyor with an aerial mapping company (MAPS) in the Middle East before spending time as a geophysical surveyor. From here he went on to spent almost 10 years with a leading aviation consultancy as an appraiser and aviation consultant, from where he was recruited into Morgan Grenfell, which was subsequently purchased by Deutsche Bank.

He has also had very broad exposure to and experience of the aircraft leasing industry through the financing of such vehicles, be it via commercial debt, export credits or structured tax products.

In 2010 he established a cross divisional joint venture within his financial institution to bring the extensive asset financing capabilities of the Investment Bank to the organizations Private Bank and its private clients. In 2013 Chris moved permanently to the organizations Private Bank where he now heads up th

Tony Payne

DLA Piper UK LLP

Partner
Tony head both the aviation sector team and the aviation – litigation and regulatory group at DLA Piper. He is a specialist partner with 18 years of experience advising clients in the global aviation sector – primarily airlines – in respect of their day to day and strategic requirements as part of DLA Piper’s dedicated aviation team.

He is responsible for the strategic direction of the aviation practice at DLA Piper and as such is responsible for managing more than 50 lawyers from trainee to partner level and managing significant budgets for marketing and business development, team development, knowledge and training and travel.

Tony’s aviation practice is centred around providing sophisticated clients with aviation centric legal support across their entire businesses. Utilising his industry leading experience in both private practice and in-house, alongside his roles on industry boards and executive experience, he delivers solution orientated advice of the highest calibre, thus ensuring his client’s objectives are delivered.

Tony’s client base is both extensive and diverse across the industry. Tony advises airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, ground handling providers, MROs, industry investors, engineering providers, defence suppliers as well as engaging with Government and Regulators worldwide.

Tony’s legal expertise is in airline and aviation specific regulatory, litigation, corporate and commercial work. This has included advising clients in respect of IPOs, M&A, investment, general structuring, ownership and control issues, vendor selection, e-commerce, international treaty obligations, air services agreements, code shares and related arrangements, airport slot transactions, charter agreements, ground handling, compliance and non-compliance issues associated with ICAO conventions, European Regulations and domestic law as well as general corporate and commercial support of aviation in house legal teams.

In April 2020 Tony was a panellist for Invest Africa’s Webinar on the Future of Aviation in Africa: Will it survive Covid-19 alongside the CEO SA Airlink and CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. In May 2020 Tony will appear live on a CNBC broadcast discussing Aviation in Africa in the current crisis.

James Person

Viasat

Sr. Director, Global Business Development for Business and VVIP Aviation

James Person joined Viasat in 2013, where he leads sales and business development in the Business and VVIP Aviation segment of the company, an area that Viasat has been active in for more than ten years, including both Ka and Ku-band networks.

Prior to Viasat, Mr. Person had general management, sales, and product management roles in high technology wireless and satellites communications companies. He began his career as a US Naval officer where he deployed during combat operations to the Middle East twice on a destroyer.

Mr. Person earned a BSEE degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA in international marketing from the University of Southern California (USC).

Andy Priester

Priester Aviation

President & CEO

Andy Priester serves as Priester Aviations President and CEO.

He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the family business. In this role, Andy is dedicated to leading the organization to become the preeminent choice in aircraft management, aircraft charter and related aviation services. During Andys tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven aircraft to over 50 aircraft they manage globally today.

Andy holds a masters degree from Concordia University and has held many leadership roles at aviation safety and trade associations.

Andy is a former Board Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA).

Brian Proctor

Mente Group

President & CEO

Brian Proctor is founder, President and CEO of Mente Group, LLC. He founded Mente in 2009 and has been serving private aviation clients for over 19 years. Having been involved in over $8 billion in aircraft transactions and over $7 billion in aviation business planning, Brian’s experience is sought by corporations and individuals, worldwide.
After serving for six years in the US Army as an infantry Ranger and intelligence officer, Brian left the military to pursue a career in the private sector. After working at Transamerica Corporation, Mr. Proctor served as consultant, COO and President of the world’s second largest consultancy and broker/dealer.
Brian serves on boards for: International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), Jet Aviation Advisory Board, and formerly, the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. He also previously served as President of IADA. He holds a BA degree in International Studies in Politics and Diplomacy from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Lasse Rungholm

OPMAS

CEO

Lasse Rungholm is an aviation lawyer specialized in EU importation and admission, customs duties related to aircraft/aviation, and all matters with regard to EU VAT.

In 1993, Lasse focused on Transportation law and spent 6 months in Norway studying Maritime law at the Nordic Institute of Maritime Law.

Since the establishment of OPMAS in the early 1990’s Lasse has acquired a great deal of expertise in all aviation areas and as a member of NBAA and EBAA Lasse has been a panelist at numerous different conferences and is a well-known speaker.

Lasse maintains a relationship with DLA Piper Denmark which is one of the top law firms in Denmark where he still handles a few selected aviation cases every year before court.

Lasse’s published articles include review of court cases and new legislation some of which can be found on the OPMAS website.

Lastly, Lasse is also a professional pilot with both EASA and FAA ATPLs with multiengine land and seaplane ratings.
He is rated on Twin Otters on floats, the L-29, ATR42/72s and Citation II 550 series and flies them regularly.

Anna Serezhkina

Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA)

Executive Director

Ms. Anna Serezhkina graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2001. After that she worked for several commercial structures, including one of the Russian major airline and airport operator. Besides Ms. Serezhkina has for several years been employed by legal firms where she was responsible for project development in the field transport operation and infrastructure, including private public partnership projects.

Ms. Serezhkina is the founder of several conferences and forums, among them “Transport Law as Instrument for Realization of Transport Strategy for the Period till 2030”, “Regional Business Aviation Forum”, “Air Law Conference”, “ Human Factor in Civil Aviaition: Management, Law, Technics”, practical workshop “Flight Safety. Fuel Safety”, “Baltic Business Aviation Forum”, Conference agend at RUBAE Exhibition, etc.

In 2013 Ms. Serezhkina received a Ph.D grade with specialization on philosophy of technics.

Ms. Serezhkina joined RUBAA in 2009 and since then was unanimously elected as the Executive Director by RUBAA General meeting each year.

Bryan Sherbacow

World Energy

With over 15 years in the industry, Mr. Sherbacow is a recognized pioneer in the development of low carbon fuels and responsible for the first commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

In 2009, Mr. Sherbacow co-founded AltAir Fuels for the refining and marketing of low carbon renewable fuels. The Company’s Paramount, CA facility is the world’s first refinery designed to produce SAF. Mr. Sherbacow was responsible for identifying strategic industry partners and equity investors in addition to negotiating contracts for the refinery JV, technology licensing, engineering and construction.

Commissioned in January 2016, AltAir Paramount converted a petroleum refinery to the production of SAF, renewable diesel, naphtha and propane. Mr. Sherbacow negotiated the aviation industry’s first commercial contracts for SAF with United Airlines and World Fuel Services. Additionally, he executed the first contract for operational use of renewable diesel fuel by the U.S. Navy. Subsequent contracts include Gulfstream, Boeing, UPS and Amazon.

In March 2018, Mr. Sherbacow facilitated the acquisition by World Energy of AltAir and the Paramount refinery assets. Mr. Sherbacow serves as its Chief Commercial Officer in addition to being a Director for the Company’s Paramount Pipeline, LLC business. Mr. Sherbacow also serves as Chairman of the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition and a steering committee member of the Business Aviation Coalition for SAF.

Stan Shparberg

Airbus Corporate Jets

Vice President Commercial

Stan Shparberg joined Airbus in March 2020 as Vice President Commercial, Airbus Corporate Jets and responsible for sales and marketing globally.
Prior to joining Airbus, Stan was an Executive Vice President of Sales at Silicon Valley based Enlighted Inc, focusing on developing an IoT platform for Smart Infrastructure division.
He held various positions at Siemens, a large industrial conglomerate, across a number of different locations around the world: USA, China, Russia and Australia. In 2016, Stan was promoted to be responsible for the optimization of Siemens’s manufacturing footprint in Americas covering North and South America.
Starting his career in Australia in the power generation sector, he then moved to Russia as a Head of a business unit in the Oil&Gas and Mining Industry.
Stan holds a bachelor double degree from RMIT and CQU University in Australia and recently completed with honors an EMBA course at European School of Management and Technology in Berlin, Germany. He is also a certified CPA and an ambassador at a One Young World association.
Stan is married and has three children. In his spare time he is a keen golfer, skier and loves to explore and learn new cultures throughout traveling.

Werner Slavik

Societe Generale Equipment Finance

Head of Aviation

Werner Slavik joined Societe Generale Equipment Finance in 2012. He is the Head of Aviation and acting as member of the Global Competence Center Aviation based in Paris and offices in Paris, Zurich, Wuppertal and Vienna. He had previously spent over 13 years in structuring aircraft financing for corporate and private clients. He successfully originated and closed more than 145 corporate aircraft and helicopter financing transactions and also dealt with restructurings of existing transactions.

Tom Sterling

Collins Aerospace

Director of Program Management for Business Aviation Digital Solutions

Tom Sterling is the Director of Business Aviation Digital Solutions for Collins Aerospace. In this role he is responsible for overseeing the development of applications and services that simplify operations for business aircraft operators and keep passengers seamlessly connected.
With more than fifteen years at Collins Aerospace and its predecessors, Rockwell Collins and ARINC, Sterling has held leadership positions in technology related areas, most recently leading the IMS Digital Technology organization. Prior to that, Tom was a program manager of the ARINC Network Services in the Americas region.
Tom has Bachelors Degree in Information Management Systems, and Masters of Business Administration from Salisbury University.

Oliver Stone

Colibri Aircraft

Managing Director

Oliver is the managing director for Colibri Aircraft Ltd., a private aircraft brokerage and advisory firm based in London. Oliver started with Colibri Aircraft in 2011, after spending the previous 8 years managing the brokerage and advisory unit for a firm in the United States. His focus has been on the international arena, selling and purchasing aircraft for clients as well as advising lenders on asset value protection and repossessions. Having bought and sold aircraft for customers in Asia, South America, Europe, the Middle East and the US, he has a first-hand perspective on different cultures and their approach to private aviation, as well as the demand for such aircraft around the world.

Mike Stones

Corporate Jet Investor

Group Editor

Mike Stones is group editor of Corporate Jet Investor, Superyacht Investor, Helicopter Investor, Private Art Investor and Revolution.Aero. Previous roles have included editorial director of Decision News Media, based in Montpellier in the South of France, group editor of Food Manufacture and deputy editor of Farmers Weekly. Outside work, Mike enjoys flying old aeroplanes and working on the farm he co-owns in the north of England.

David Thompson

DLA Piper

Partner

David Thompson advises on the tax aspects of acquisitions and disposals, mergers, demergers, group reorganisations and reconstructions. He also has extensive knowledge of management buyout and buy-in transactions and other private equity transactions and on tax aspects of commercial agreements, joint ventures, flotations, international transactions, property and private finance initiatives.

David also advises public companies, international corporations, owner-managed businesses, public sector bodies, educational institutions, charities, private sector bidders, developers, property investors and joint venture consortia.

David’s experience includes stamp duty and VAT planning and he has contributed articles on VAT matters to tax publications. David has acted on VAT litigation at European Court level.

Gustavo Teixeira

Embraer Executive Jets

VP Sales for Latin America

Gustavo Teixeira is the Embraer Executive Jets VP Sales for Latin America.

With 20+ years of experience in the aeronautical industry, with  of broad experience from product development, sales & marketing, contracts negotiation, program management, customer relationship and product support.

Working in business jets sales in LATAM since 2007. (since 2015 as VP Sales LATAM), Gustavo have sold more than 120 jets in the region.

Board member of ABAG (Brazilian General Aviation Association) since 2018

He has a Mechanical Engineering degree with MBA in Finance/Economics

Sarah Tschudin

UBS

Transaction Manager, Corporate Air Finance

Profile coming soon

Adam Twidell

PrivateFly

CEO

After serving 10 years as a RAF pilot, Adam entered the world of private aviation, first as a pilot and then in 2008, as an entrepreneur, co-founding PrivateFly, which pioneered online transactions in on-demand charter. He grew the business over 11 years to become a leading brand in international private charter and led PrivateFly’s acquisition by Directional Aviation in 2018. Adam remains CEO of PrivateFly, which now offers membership and Jet Card programs, in addition to on-demand charter. He is a passionate advocate for innovation within the industry.

David Van Den Langenbergh

Luxaviation

President Aviation Services

David Van Den Langenbergh has over 20 years of experience in business and commercial aviation. A native of Schoten, Belgium, David, 44, was Airworthiness Manager of Belgium-based Abelag Aviation, which he joined in 2006 as head of Part 145 repair station maintenance. Prior to that, he worked for ten years as line and base maintenance manager at Lufthansa Technik and Delta. His early years were spent in general aviation, first at Bossaerts Aviation Service, then Styl Aviation and finally ABC Aviation, where he worked as a mechanic before moving up to the post of inspector.

David entered aviation right out of vocational school and is largely self-taught. He obtained his pilot’s license at the tender age of 21. David has been a Dassault Falcon Operators Advisory Board chairman since 2013 and became Chief Technical Officer of Luxaviation Group in September 2014.

Since 2016 he’s board member of the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association where he’s the Chairman of the Airworthiness & Maintenance Committee. David discusses on a regular basis with EASA, FAA and EU aviation representatives to support Business and General Aviation interests.

David is also accountable Manager for the Luxaviation San Marino AOC, offering an international commercial operation platform for aircraft owners that need a flexible solution combined with professional, secure and safe aviation environment.

Steve Varsano

The Jet Business

Managing Director

Steve Varsano founded The Jet Business, the world’s first street-level corporate aviation showroom. His 30-year career in corporate aviation has seen him build a dynamic business in the aviation industry dealing with the most successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives throughout the world, and involved with over 450 aircraft sales to date and in excess of $5 billion. His extensive expertise and knowledge of the corporate aviation jet market has positioned him as an internationally regarded industry authority.

Varsano started his aviation career with the American Association of Airport Executives and as the Special Assistant to the President of the General Manufacturers Association where he oversaw the Statistical Forecasting Committee and the Airport and Airways Committee. He is a commercial-instrument-rated pilot, single and multi-engine. He graduated magna cum laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies.

Varsano also was heavily involved in the merchant bank/Mergers and Acquisitions sector as a senior Vice President of Triangle Industries and Trian Group, President of the international division of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, Senior Director of Business Development of Yum Brands International and consulted for Grotech Capital Group, Centre Partners and FTI Consulting.

Varsano sat on the Board of Directors for XOJET and Virgin Galactic. He has also served as President and senior executive positions for a number of private equity companies and the companies they controlled in various industries in America, Russia and Europe.

Ford von Weise

Citi Private Bank

Director, Head Global Aircraft Finance & Advisory Services

Mr. von Weise is currently a Director and Global Head of the Aircraft Finance Group at Citi Private Bank. The group provides private aircraft financing solutions to individual ultra high net worth clients and their companies throughout the world. Mr. von Weise’s responsibilities and roles while at Citi have included loan origination, product program management, reporting and workouts. The group focuses on transactions typically in the range of $10 to $50 million.

Mr. von Weise has over fourteen years of business aviation experience most recently serving as Vice President of Business Aviation Finance for Merrill Lynch Capital. Prior to Merrill Lynch, he worked for GMAC Commercial Finance in the same capacity. His expertise covers a wide range of corporate and personal aircraft both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining GMAC, Mr. von Weise was Vice President of Capital Transactions at Lend Lease Real Estate investments, where he was responsible for the recapitalization and workout of large multi-family properties throughout the U.S.

Mr. von Weise is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Aircraft Finance Association and was appointed by the Boards of Selectmen from the Massachusetts towns of Concord, Lincoln, Bedford and Lexington as a commission member of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission. He is also a past board member of the Massachusetts Business Aviation Association and a local volunteer representative for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is also an instrument rated pilot, aircraft owner, and a pilot for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. von Weise has also appeared on the Discovery Channel as an aviation expert in the Celebrity Crash Files, J.F.K., Jr, documentary series. He is also currently a member of the Board of Advisors for Brown Aviation Lease.

Mr. von Weise holds an undergraduate degree, cum laude, in Environmental Studies and History from the University of Vermont.

Don Walsh

Stonebriar Commercial Finance

Senior Vice President

Don Walsh is currently Senior Vice President of Originations for Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Business Aviation, the company’s global business aviation financing platform.

Don joined Stonebriar from Guggenheim Partners, where he was most recently a Managing Director and oversaw new transaction origination activity for Guggenheim’s Business Aircraft Investments group. He brings over 25 years of experience in the business aviation finance industry, previously originating transactions at US Bank Equipment Finance, Key Equipment Finance and Boeing Capital Corporation. He joined Boeing Capital following the merger between The Boeing Company and McDonnell Douglas Corporation. He previously worked at McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation as an Asset Manager, responsible for the company’s portfolio of business aircraft operating leases. Prior to joining McDonnell Douglas Finance, he worked at Equitable Life Leasing Corporation as a lease manager. Don received a BS from University of the Pacific and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Graham Williamson

ACASS Ireland

President

Graham Williamson has 35 years of global aviation experience, including CEO, presidential, & executive roles with airlines, management companies & charter operations. He is the driving force behind ACASS’s European growth.

Jonathan Wood

Neste

Vice-President, Renewable Aviation

Jonathan is VP for Neste’s Renewable Aviation business in the Europe/Middle East/Africa and Aspac regions. Responsible for commercial and operational activities including the supply and sale of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and related services to all customers (Commercial and Cargo Airlines, General Aviation, OEMs, military, and distributors), business development and investments. Jonathan is also responsible for engagement with government authorities and other key stakeholders on regulatory matters, as well as with partners to help accelerate the growth of the SAF market and support the aviation industry on its path to reduce emissions.

Jonathan has 25 years’ experience in the energy industry in leadership positions and as board director/shareholder rep, responsible for commercial, business development, M&A, strategy, marketing and operations.

Jonathan graduated in Economics from London University, and completed an Executive MBA programme at Harvard Business School.

Jeffrey Wool

Aviation Working Group

Secretary General