Speakers

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If you are interested in speaking at or sponsoring Helicopter Investor London 2017 please contact Rebecca Pearson on [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1737 910 501.

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CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

Fabrice Arfi
Vice President Business Development & Sales Coordination, Airbus Helicopters

Fabrice currently heads the Business Development department for the Airbus Helicopters Group. His main recent achievements include the start-up of a helicopter operating leasing company managing close to $150 million of rotary wing assets, and the launch of a new heavy helicopter program to address utility markets, especially in emerging countries. As of today, this new program has already passed the 20 unit-sale mark. In 2013, he was appointed by the French Prime Minister to attend the prestigious 66th Defense Policy class of the Institute for High Defense Studies (IHEDN). This exclusive appointment is an intensive one year international engagement with current and potential world leaders, including heads of state, and military.

After a one-year mission by the President and CEO of Eurocopter to restructure the company in 2006, he was appointed as the Head of Commercial, Pricing and Network Policy. In 2009, he took on direct responsibilities in Sales to be in charge of Eastern Europe where he signed hundred million dollar contracts with Romania and Kazakhstan that are still active today.

He has been a member of the company Merger & Acquisition Committee for over 10 years, Fabrice sits on the board of directors of Airbus Helicopters Financial Services in Ireland, Vector Aerospace Holding (a 2,000 person company)and is the co-chairman of Airbus Helicopters Romania (a 51% owned Joint Venture Company).

Eurocopter recruited him in 2001 for his international experience, and his ability to open up new markets. He spent several years at Headquarters being in charge of the global Customer Service network of service centers, which led him to China as soon as 2003 where he set up the first Eurocopter approved maintenance center in Shenzhen, through a Joint Venture with COHC, GAMEC.

At the beginning of his career, he served 8 years in the automotive industry as a business developer for a medium-sized family-owned American company, Red Dot Corporation, based in Seattle, WA. His past achievements at Red Dot included the creation of their first foreign-based full-fledged subsidiary in Ipswich, England, with assembly and light manufacturing capabilities, breaking even in less than 3 years, and addressing the European, Indian and Africa/Middle-East markets.

He is a 1993 graduate of ESCP Europe in Paris, one of the top European business schools and is happily married with three lovely children.

Ben Chapman
UK Valuations Manager, Flight Ascend Consultancy

Ben manages the UK team of valuations analysts at Flight Ascend Consultancy and is a helicopter and commercial aircraft appraiser and market analyst. He is an International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading Certified Appraiser and has spent the past three years specialising in meeting the appraisal and analysis demands of the growing helicopter finance and leasing market, in which he continues to regularly write research papers and market updates.

Stephen Cook
Executive Director, Macquarie Bank

Stephen joined Macquarie in 1986 and has taken a leading role in developing and implementing structured asset transactions for Macquarie globally. He lead the Bank offshore in the early 90’s, and was responsible for establishing Macquarie’s operations in London.

In 2005 Stephen transformed what had been a significant advisor / arranger practice into a start up principal business initially focussed on Aircraft. In 2006 Stephen led the acquisition of the assets of GATX’s Air business. This enabled establishment of a fully functional Aircraft operating lease business, Macquarie AirFinance.

Macquarie currently has over 200 aircraft on its balance sheet, of which 90% are in production narrow body types (A320 / 737-800’s). They are leased into over 40 jurisdictions.

In 2011 Stephen moved from Macquarie Capital to Macquarie Bank to consolidate all the Groups holdings across Air, Rail, Shipping, Helicopters and Engines and further develop this segment of the Banks business.

Geoffrey Corbeil
General Manager, Aftermarket Commercialization, Pratt & Whitney Canada

As the General Manager of Aftermarket Commercialization at Pratt & Whitney Canada, Geoffrey Corbeil holds a lead role in driving the development and go-to-market strategy behind the company’s extensive portfolio of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) offerings, known as P&WCSMART Maintenance Solutions.

Mr. Corbeil has been at P&WC for over 20 years, holding key positions in P&WC’s aftermarket and marketing organizations including component repairs, engine leasing, new engines and MRO sales and leadership of joint-venture partnerships.

Mr. Corbeil holds an MBA from McGill University and a B.A.A. in Marketing from Sherbrooke University, both in Quebec, Canada.

David Crick
Managing Director, DavAir

David Crick is an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). He serves as the Machinery & Technical Specialties Discipline Governor on the ASA International Board of Governors and is the recent President of the ASA Australian Chapter. He also serves as the Chair on the Finance & Leasing Committee of the Helicopter Association International.
David is the Managing Director of the DavAir Group, an Australian company providing international aviation inspection, appraisal and advisory services.

He has an unparalleled passion for the aviation sector performing appraisals of both fixed wing & rotary aviation assets in Australia, the Asia Pacific Rim, the USA and various countries in Europe & the Middle East.

With over 20 years of specialised valuation and consulting experience to many different sectors, David has considerable knowledge of corporate valuation requirements for financial reporting, mortgage security assessments, insurance & liquidation disposals. He performs appraisals for finance and leasing, aviation sales, mergers and acquisitions, insurance disputes, and expert witness for the legal fraternity.
David has presented at various international forums addressing current issues in aviation assets and appraisal methodologies, including events in the UK, USA, Russia,
Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. He also lectures at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the USA on Aircraft Appraisal methodology and processes
as well as teaching Aircraft Appraisal courses in London, UK.

Robert Dranitzke
Executive Vice President, Commercial, Milestone Aviation Group

Robert Thor Dranitzke is Executive Vice President, Commercial for Milestone Aviation Group. In this role, he is responsible for global sales and business development.

In his prior position as NetJets Europe chief operating officer, Robert managed a fleet of 165 aircraft, oversaw a staff of 1,800 and was responsible for safety, customer service, a €700 million budget and all aspects of flight operations. Under Robert’s leadership, NetJets Europe excelled in each of these areas, maintaining a 0% accident rate, increasing customer satisfaction by 22% and undertaking an €89 million corporate savings program. Prior to his appointment as COO, Robert worked as director of marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility. In this role, he developed an industry leading global approach to climate change which today sees NetJets Europe offsetting more than 60% of its total carbon emissions. Robert started at NetJets Europe in 2002 as business development manager where he delivered dozens of sales transactions with high net worth individuals and corporations including Euro Stoxx 50 companies.

Prior to arriving at NetJets Europe, Robert spent two years as a financial analyst at UBS in London, where he analyzed and executed a broad variety of M&A transactions in telecommunications, technology, media and retail.

Alastair Fallon
Aviation Analyst, IBA Group

Joined the RAF on leaving school and passed through the University of Glasgow with first class honours in Aeronautical Engineering and an academic year prize, as an Acting Pilot Officer or sponsored student on the RAF University Cadetship scheme. While an undergraduate I was attached to the local University Air Squadron where I under took elementary flying training and finally was Mess President. While studying I did flight testing at Prestwick aerodrome as part of the course; my final year project was aerodynamic study of a scale model racing car and the effect of a tail fin on its performance. Leaving academia I served in the RAF for five years. My flying career was cut short due to injuries sustained in road traffic indent. I worked at City University, London, following this as Course Director of their BSc (Hons) Air Transport Operations while also lecturing engineering maths to the first years. I also took part initially as a student in the MSc in Air Transport Management. I undertook a research program as part of the course, into the Boeing 777 and its competitive rivalry with the Airbus 330/340 development. Following significant experience in military aviation and then time in academia, I joined IBA Group as an Aviation Analyst.

Since joining IBA in 2015 in the consultancy and advisory team, I have worked on helicopter appraisals and commercial aviation advisory projects. Business development, meeting and speaking to clients and customers at various high profile industry events, it also an important function of my role: LCI Helicopters and Milestone Aviation are IBA clients, and valuable sources of industry intel come from our relationship with OEMs such as Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo Helicopters.

Nick Fitzpatrick
Director, Atron

Atron commenced operations in 1983 and initially specialised in the supply and installation of airport navigation and communications systems. In the 90’s Atron expanded its business and was asked to represent the Spanish Company (CASA) (now Airbus Military), followed by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopter) and the Cessna Aircraft Company.

Today Atron is run by Nick Fitzpatrick and specialises in aircraft sales, advice and consultancy services.

The Royal Air Force have made Nick a member of their Aviation Focus Group, he is the first civilian and first non British National to be admitted to same.

EUROCOPTER/AIRBUS HELICOPTER- Atron has represented Eurocopter’s interest in Ireland since 1992 when it was formed by the merger of Aerospatiale Helicopters and Germanys MBB. Besides selling some 20 new Eurocopters Atron, in conjunction with Eurocopter UK (formerly McAlpine Helicopters), were responsible for the full integration of the dedicated police roll equipment including night sun, FLIR and tactical radios for the first Garda (Irish Police) helicopter (AS355N) and their subsequent two EC135’s.

Atron was also responsible for the support of the Irish Air Corps helicopter fleet including the five SAR Dauphins. [AS 365Fi] and arranged a midlife upgrade on these five SAR Dauphins which included fitting new avionics, flight management system, GPS etc.

Kathleen Flanagan
Director of Business Aircraft and Helicopter Financing, Export Import Bank of the US

Ms. Flanagan is Director of Business Aircraft and Helicopter Financing at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (“Ex-Im Bank”). She has played a key role in the Transportation Division’s efforts to substantially increase Ex-Im Bank’s support for exports of U.S. manufactured general aviation aircraft.

Ms. Flanagan is the primary contact at Ex-Im Bank for general aviation transactions. She is responsible for analysis, structuring, presentation for Ex-Im Bank Board approval and completion of transactions with purchasers of business aircraft and helicopters, and with a wide range of airlines. Her transactions have included complex and innovative financing structures, such as tax advantaged lease structures, foreign currency denominated financings and capital markets fundings.

Ms. Flanagan has a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Chicago and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business.

Philippe Foulon
Global Head of Specialized Asset Finance & Aviation, Société Générale Equipment Finance

Philippe Foulon is Societe Generale Equipment Finance Global Head of Specialised Asset Finance and Aviation, with a portfolio of over 500 aircraft under management, of which there are more than 150 helicopters.

Philippe has successfully grown this activity over the last 8 years, making it a global Business Unit after decades of sustained development on local markets where the SocGen group had a direct prescence.

After graduating from ESSEC MBA Philippe started his career at The Chase Manhattan Bank where he built his experience as a Vice-President in Banking and Financial Services, before serving as CEO of ILC, as well-known Financial Institution specialising in vendor finance. ILC was taken over by Societe Generale to form Societe Generale Equipment Finance.

Societe Generale Equipment Finance is currently active in 35 countries around the globe.

David Fowkes
Managing Director, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC

David is a Managing Director in Seabury Groups Corporate Advisory practice. He has 22 years investment banking experience, leading assignments in over 30 countries, including aircraft financing & trading, restructuring and M&A. Mr. Fowkes was a senior capital markets banker for Salomon Brothers and Citigroup, covered Industrials for Lehman Brothers and was a senior member of Deutsche Bank’s special situations group. His clients at Seabury have included Air Canada, Alaska, Etihad, ILFC, MAXJet, Northwest, Republic, Spirit, US Airways and CHC Group.

Prior to re-joining, David’s financing, restructuring, M&A and aviation & leasing clients included GA Telesis, Blue Air, SriLankan and private equity and start-up leasing companies. He gained helicopter experience as Director of M&A and Integration for Bristow Group where he led the acquisition & integration of 2 airlines (Eastern Airways and Airnorth), the sale of 2 JVs (FBH and HCA) and focused on restructuring JVs including in Russia, Nigeria and Trinidad.

David received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his MBA in finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Edwards Gross
Shareholder, Vedder Price

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.

Steve Hanna
CEO, Protective Packing Corp

Steve Hanna is currently the Chairman/CEO of Protective Packaging Corporation located in Carrollton, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

The company was initially a division of an International Freight Forwarding company reporting to Mr. Hanna that helped package freight that was being shipped around the world. Steve had the opportunity to acquire this division as the freight forwarding company was being sold.

Twenty years later Protective Packaging Corporation has grown to become one of the industry’s leader in providing long term packaging solutions for the prevention of corrosion, mold, mildew, static electricity and other airborne qualities. The company is one of the first as well as one of the few in its industry with a current ISO Certification.

Protective Packaging Company’s major customers include Boeing, Bell, Pratt Whitney, United Technologies, GE, NASA, Timken, American Airlines, L3, Lockheed-Martin, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, Bristow, ERA, Babcock, Vector, Space X, Northrop Grumman, Turbomecca, and the U.S. military to name a few.

Protective Packaging’s success is based on their ability to provide custom made packaging applications that are capable of controlling the atmosphere around the part regardless of its size or location. Yet, at the same time be the most efficient and economical solution available on the market. Be it the F-35 Joint Stryke Fighter being shipped around the world for testing, a commercial aircraft engine sitting out on tarmacs for long periods of time, or entire helicopter fleets that must be protected from all the elements while they are grounded in harsh conditions.

Jaspal Jandu
CFO, LCI Helicopters

Jaspal Jandu is the Chief Financial Officer of Lease Corporation International (LCI). He is responsible for overall capital raising, financial management, reporting and multiple corporate functions including treasury, planning and strategic development.

Prior to joining LCI in 2007, Jaspal worked for Morgan Stanley where he was responsible for numerous aviation investments. During this role, he transferred to the then in-house lessor, AWAS, remaining with the company until its divestment to Terra Firma. Jaspal has also held posts with the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) and has an established track record in the aviation industry.

Jaspal graduated from Essex University with a degree in Economics and completed his Economics Masters in 1996. Jaspal is also an alumnus of Harvard, Wharton, and London Business School, where he has completed a number of Executive Development programmes.

Viren Joshi
Global Accounts Director, Transportation Group, Export Development Canada

Viren is a seasoned veteran with 25 years of experience in the Insurance and Finance sectors. During his initial career Viren worked as an underwriter overseeing the light manufacturing sector. Later he moved to an adjudication role within EDC providing oversight on credit decisions. Over the last 8 years at EDC, Viren has had the opportunity to focus specifically on the Aerospace sector. As a Global Accounts Director, Viren manages some of the larger Canadian aerospace companies such as Bombardier Aerospace. The origination aspect of his work also involves developing and managing the transaction cycle to successful completion. Viren has participated in numerous panels and conferences within the aviation sector.

Viren finished his post-graduate qualifications at the University of Toronto. He subsequently completed his CFA designation in 1999.

Jason Kmiecik
Vice President – Operations, HeliValue$

Jason joined the HeliValue$ team in 2009 after serving the in the United States Marine Corp for ten years. While serving Jason worked as a mechanic on various models of airplanes and helicopters such as the F/A 18, C-130, T-34, CH-46, CH-53, and UH-1N, reaching the rank of Sergeant and becoming a Quality Assurance Inspector serving in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the seven years, Jason has been part of the HeliValue$ team, he has risen from Staff Analyst to Chief Appraiser and now holds the position of VP Operations. He is editor of The Official Helicopter Blue Book® and responsible for a growing team of appraisers. His responsibilities include consulting with financers, lenders, private equity firms, operators, OEM’s and Insurance companies on the state of the market as well as its opportunities in the market. Jason is an Accredited Senior Appraiser in the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), holding accreditations in both Machinery & Equipment and Aircraft Specific designations.

John Mannion
President, Kylemore Group

John Mannion is Managing Director of Kylemore Group LLC, a finance and strategy consulting firm specializing in the aviation and energy sectors. Prior to founding Kylemore Group, Mr. Mannion served as Director of Asset Finance and Portfolio Management Officer of Bristow Group Inc. where he negotiated lease and financing agreements for Bristow’s $4.0 billion fleet of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Mr. Mannion’s aviation experience also includes labor analysis and negotiations, aircraft financing, route profitability analysis, fleet planning, investor relations and treasury in 12 years at Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. He has also held executive officer positions in the energy and manufacturing sectors with Plains All American Pipeline, Quanex Corporation and Furmanite Corporation.

Mr. Mannion serves on the Helicopter Association International’s (HAI) Finance and Leasing Committee and is a regular presenter and panelist at helicopter finance and broader aviation industry events. He is proud to hold dual-citizenship in the USA and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Mannion holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wesleyan University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and Accounting from Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Jean Marc Youkhana
Managing Director, Uplifting Aviation Ltd

Managing Director Jean-Marc Youkhana has both a vast international experience and a broad set of technical qualifications. After qualifying as an avionic and on-board instrument technician in 1991, Jean-Marc went on to serve a 5-year maintenance apprenticeship where he specialised in aircraft airframes, engines and systems and graduated in 1997 with a Technical Sales degree.

During his apprenticeship and training, Jean-Marc also worked for France’s largest business jet, air charter specialist and maintenance, repair and overhaul centre; marketing the company’s capabilities across business jet and propeller powered aircraft. Turning his knowledge into practical experience he became the youngest sales engineer in France, gaining a deep insight into all aspects of the industry.

Bruce Marshall
Executive Vice President & General Counsel, AIC Title Service

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. Bruce was 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 Lawyer’s 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 panelist at aviation industry events.

Crispin Maunder
Executive Chairman, LCI Helicopters

Crispin Maunder is the Executive Chairman of Lease Corporation International, the aircraft and helicopter lessor, having joined the lessor as Chief Executive Officer eight years ago.

Crispin has over 40 years experience in aviation. Graduating from Imperial College with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering he entered Court Line Aviation, then the leading UK charter airline. In 1974 he joined the marketing team at British Aircraft Corporation concentrating on the BAC One-Eleven programme. This was then followed by a period working in the Middle East and Africa with Autair Limited, a helicopter operator and aviation trader, as Commercial Manager, representing a number of aircraft and helicopter OEM’s.

In 1977 he joined Short Brothers to head up their sales efforts in Africa and the Middle East, subsequently adding European Sales to his responsibilities in 1983. In 1986 he was appointed General Manager, Aircraft Trading Division, charged with the establishment of Shorts’ new leasing and trading operations in advance of the privatization of the company.

Crispin left Shorts in 1989 to join Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS) as Regional Sales Director Europe, before being appointed in 1991 as EVP Sales and Marketing, heading up the lessor’s global sales and marketing activities. In 1997 he assumed additional responsibility for technical oversight of AWAS’s aircraft portfolio. Following the acquisition of the lessor by Morgan Stanley in 2000, he joined the AWAS Holdings Board, and in 2002 he was appointed EVP Strategic Development, charged with the development of the lessor’s new strategic plan ahead of its eventual sale to Terra Firma in 2006.

Clark McGinn
Senior Vice Present – Sales & Relationship Management, Waypoint Leasing

Clark McGinn joined Waypoint as SVP, Sales & Relationship Management in April 2015 with over ten years’ experience with helicopters having executed around USD 5Bn in mandates across the sector. He was previously Managing Director of CHC’s global aviation finance group in Dublin, building an inter-disciplinary team which executed the complex leasing and finance strategy for one of the largest civilian helicopter operators including the first significant transactions with the new generation of helicopter operating lessors, including Waypoint.

He joined CHC after a near thirty year career in corporate and investment banking in London and New York, latterly managing helicopter asset finance for RBS, where he executed many of the biggest and most complex structured debt, operating lease and M&A financings in the civil rotary wing sector. Before joining RBS in 1994 he held management positions in the corporate banking groups of Bank of America and Hill Samuel & Co, having completed his graduate training with Lloyds Bank.

Clark is a regular contributor to the debate around helicopter finance and leasing as a presenter and panellist at conferences arranged by Corporate Jet and Helicopter and others.

He is also known as a speaker and writer about Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns and has published several books on Burns and on the history of financial crisis, including ‘The Ultimate Burns Supper Book’ and ‘Out of Pocket’ (Luath Press). He is an active supporter of the development campaigns of the University of Glasgow (for which he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship) and of the charitable activities of The English-Speaking Union.

He holds an MA (Hons) degree in Philosophy and a PhD in Scottish Literature from the University of Glasgow, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Simon Mitchell
Director & Accountable Manager, Starspeed Ltd

Dr Simon Mitchell has worked in the aviation industry for over 27 years; a career that includes 5800 professional helicopter flying hours and a PhD in Aviation Safety Management. His doctoral research examined accident cost analysis, measuring the perception of risk and the economics of safety. He also holds degrees and post graduate qualifications in engineering, accounting and finance, and strategic financial management.

As a professional pilot, he has direct operational experience in key helicopter industry sectors: military flying as an officer for the Royal Navy, in the offshore oil support role for Bond and CHC, as a police pilot for the London Metropolitan Police Service and Surrey Police Force, and as a corporate pilot and safety manager for Starspeed Ltd. He has managed helicopter operations around many areas of Europe and the Caribbean. As an academic, he has papers published on the perception of safety and its associated economic impact, risk management and on systems for analysing the costs of accidents. He has also conducted an extensive review into the Value of Police Helicopter Operations during his work for the London Metropolitan Police Service. He continues an association with Cranfield University Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, as a visiting fellow and as course director for the safety management professional and academic courses. He has been invited to comment on aviation disasters by London based news agencies, including Sky, BBC, ITV and Aljazeera.

He was recently Aviation Director with RTI ltd, an international multi-modal transport engineering and operations safety consultancy. His main duties were to coordinate the work of expert consultants in connection with litigation and dispute resolution. He has also been responsible for organising the aviation law and insurance conference AViCON USA 2009 in New York and AViCON 2010 in London. In 2009 and 2010 he was invited to be a panel member with the American Bar Association Aviation Law Conference, New York City Bar, New York.

Currently, Simon shares duties at Cranfield University with working as Director and Accountable Manager for StarspeedLtd, a VVIP corporate helicopter management company with operations around the world. In Nov 2014 he was awarded the British Helicopter Association’s ‘Eric Brown Award’ for contribution to the helicopter industry.

Mirika Nakayama
CEO, ITC Leasing

Profile coming soon.

Philippe Niquille
Exclusive Airborne Mobility, RUAG Aviation

Philippe is working for RUAG in Switzerland, leading the exclusive airborne mobility center of excellence. As a mountain helicopter pilot, he is most passionate about flying, yet believes that something is fundamentally wrong with how helicopters are used in VIP operations. As soon as they have to blend into daily routines of e.g. heads of state, global citizens or entrepreneurs they start to become obstacles, instead of useful means of transportation. Hence, the team at RUAG is leveraging their experience in aviation in turn for a fresh breeze in the industry.

Prior to launching this new initiative, Philippe has worked in product management and business development positions at both RUAG and a startup. He holds a master’s degree in finance and has been living abroad in both Canada and the US as well as Singapore.

Michael Platt
CEO, LCI

Michael Platt became CEO in January 2012 having joined LCI in September 2011.

Mike brings LCI over 20 years’ experience in the aircraft leasing industry, including three years at Aircastle as Chief Investment Officer, 15 at International Lease Finance Corporation where he rose to Senior Vice President and 3 years at McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation where he served as legal counsel. He is also a former President of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) and serves on the Board of the ISTAT Foundation and the Advisory Board of Airlink.

Aubrey Point
Vice President Helicopter Market, Avinco

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Charlotte Ranslet Pederson
CEO, Luxaviation Helicopters

Charlotte Pedersen is a Danish national with more than 25 years of experience in aviation. She was the first female to enter the prestigious military pilot program in the Danish Air Force in 1989 when the Armed Forces accepted female applicants to the program for the first time. Going through pilot training in the US Navy as a helicopter pilot, she graduated on the Commodores list in the top 20 out of 1000 pilots. Charlotte continued her military career attending the Officers Academy and occupying several higher staff positions,- amongst others, being responsible for Helicopter Safety Equipment and Training, Instructor in the Water Survival Programme for military flight crews and HUET Underwater Instructor as well as Instructor for Medical Personnel Operational Training (Open Water hoist Training), while still flying search and rescue missions.

After her military services, Charlotte worked for the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) in Luxembourg as a Flight Operations Inspector for both Helicopters and Fixed Wing. She maintained her flying status flying Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in France on a part-time basis. During this period, Charlotte also participated on a volunteer basis for the European Aviation Safety Agency in working groups focusing on Helicopter Safety (EHSIT) and Human Factors (EHFAG).
Charlotte joined Luxaviation in 2012 and was nominated Chief Operating Officer of the Luxaviation Group in 2014.

In 2016 Charlotte Pedersen was promoted to CEO of Luxaviation Helicopters which is part of the Luxaviation Group. The helicopter company is a worldwide organization managing VIP helicopters for private and business clients, specialized in helicopter management and yacht operations with focus on exceptional high safety, security and quality standards.

Charlotte holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Strategic Management (Graduated with Honors).

Steve Robertson
Director (HQ & Research Centre), Douglas-Westwood

Steve joined DW in 2002. He has led DW’s industry-leading research in regions such as Russia and the Middle East and many technology areas including oilfield services, drilling markets, field development, floating production, helicopter services and subsea processing. He has managed DW’s commercial due-diligence studies for investment banks and private equity firms and was appointed to the board in 2009. He now heads DW’s worldwide Research activities. Steve is a graduate in Economics & Computing and completed an MBA at the University of Kent & Canterbury Business School.

George Rolls
Chairman, PrivateFly

George Rolls is the Chairman of PrivateFly. Over the past 30 years, George has been a director, manager and adviser to many private and public companies in a variety of sectors such as aviation, manufacturing, publishing and print media, technology, real estate and consumer products. George has experience in corporate mergers, acquisitions and fundraising.

Earlier in his career, George spent several years in Australia, primarily working in trading and insurance, before returning to the UK where he founded Beaufort Securities of which he was a director between 1992 and 2006. Since selling Beaufort Securities in 2008, George has acted as a consultant for private high net worth individuals and more recently was involved with the launch of a software technology fund. He joined PrivateFly’s board in July 2016.

Between 2010-2016 he acted as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director with AIM listed Hangar 8 plc/Gama Aviation plc. George was formally Honorary Secretary of The Royal Air Squadron is a Trustee of the Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation.

George has been a pilot for 20 years and currently holds a current helicopter license. He is married with 4 children and lives in London and Hampshire.

Rex Rosales
Partner, Watson Farley & Williams

Rex has been practising in the Aviation Sector for nearly 25 years and has been based in Paris, Montreal and London. A true sector specialist, he advises clients on every aspect of the life-cycle of Aviation assets, from acquisition, financing, leasing, operation, maintenance, trading, disposal through to end-of-life scrapping.

Rex has particular expertise in advising clients on complex and innovative structured asset finance transactions in the Transportation Sector, with a particular focus on aviation. The market widely recognises Rex’s work on ground-breaking matters and, in 2016, he acted on a first-in-kind deal, which was awarded Airfinance Journal’s ‘Capital Markets Deal of the Year’.

He has been advising financiers and owners since 2006 on a wide variety of business jet leasing and financing structures and has been involved in restructurings, repossessions and insurance claims in this sector. Rex has also been advising financiers on the intricacies of helicopter finance and the particularities of this subset of the Aviation Sector, as compared to more common commercial airline financing. Notably he has advised on large portfolio financings, and PDP structures (including a combined conventional and Sharia compliant financing).

Rex is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales. He is also qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Quebec and is a fluent French speaker.

Daniel Rosenthal
President, Milestone Aviation Group

Daniel Rosenthal is the President of Milestone Aviation Group, overseeing global sales, finance, operations and strategy for the global leader in helicopter leasing. In August 2010, he and five partners launched Milestone. After growing the business to over $3.0 billion in aircraft, the company was acquired by GE Capital Aviation Services in January 2015. Prior to Milestone, Dan served as Executive Vice President in the NetJets Inc. Office of the Chairman. A graduate of Yale University, Dan holds a BA in history and international studies, and a JD magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law.

Carla Schriver
Vice President – Financing Group, Goldman Sachs

Kim Seward
Senior Analyst, Valuations, Morten Beyer & Agnew

Ms. Seward is a Senior Analyst with Morten Beyer & Agnew’s Asset Valuations Group. In this role, Ms. Seward acts as Project Manager for the firm’s Helicopter consultancy division. She is responsible for preparing aircraft, helicopter, and engine appraisals, performing market research and analysis, modeling value trends, and calculating future values, as well as projected or remaining economic useful lives of various aviation assets.

Ms. Seward began her career in aviation with the Northumbrian University Air Squadron in Yorkshire, UK, as a Royal Air Force Officer Cadet, flying the Grob 115E aircraft. She continued her career working for a European consulting firm, focusing on rotor-wing aircraft. Her experience includes research and analysis of the helicopter industry, market values, benchmarking, and modeling; primarily focused on medium, super-medium, and heavy helicopter sectors used in a range of missions. She is a graduate of Durham University, UK, with an honors degree in Biomedical Science.

Emad Sharghi
CEO, EAS Ltd

Since 2007 Emad has held the position of Partner & CEO at EAS, a leading aerospace company that specializes in aircraft brokerage by providing tailored aviation solutions to airlines, governments, corporations and high net worth individuals. EAS’s activities are divided between commercial aviation and the corporate/Bizjet segments.

In 2011 Emad was appointed as Director of MENA Operations for Strategic Initiatives Capital Partners, an independent private equity firm active in various sectors including automotive, aviation and food manufacturing.

In 1990 he established Dubex Group, Inc. in the United States, representing major American petrochemical companies, exporting their engineering resins to the packaging and automotive component manufacturers in the Middle East. In 2001, he co-founded Sigmaplast GmbH and Sigmaplast Russia, the exclusive distributors for GE Plastics in the Russian Federation

Emad has a BA in Economics from the University of Maryland (1986) and a MS in Management Information Systems (MIS) from George Washington University (1989).

William Sturm
Executive Sales Director – Eurocopter, Avpro Inc

William Sturm manages the Airbus Helicopters pre-owned twin engine market at Avpro. He started his career in aircraft brokerage over a decade ago with his father Ernie at Aircraft Management Solutions. In 2008 Sturm then became the sales director for HondaJet Southern Europe first based in Madrid and then in Paris at Le Bourget. In 2013 he joined Heli Asset in Paris that later joined forces with Avpro to become the world’s leading independent helicopter sales and acquisition company. William is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Paul Sykes
Director, AirFinance

Robert Van de Vuurst
General Counsel, Waypoint Leasing & Baker Donelson

Robert D. Van de Vuurst is a shareholder with the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. Based out of the Firm’s Johnson City/Tri-Cities, Tennessee office, Robert has focused on aviation law, with a particular emphasis in helicopters, since 1987 and has overseen and been directly responsible for more than $3 billion in aircraft purchases, sales, and leases, both to and from original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) and private parties. He has spent much of his professional career as outside general counsel for major aviation industry clients, and has served as outside general counsel for the world’s largest aftermarket helicopter accessory manufacturer (Dart Aerospace) as well as the world’s largest independent helicopter leasing company (Waypoint Leasing). Robert handles, among other issues, aircraft sales, purchases and leases, finance and debt matters, completion contracts, distribution agreements, regulatory matters, and general litigation supervision. He also assists with tax issues, aircraft ownership structuring, aviation finance and asset securitization matters, and domestic and international aircraft registration. From 2010 to 2012, Robert served as the COO of Era Group Inc., and President of Era Helicopters LLC, one of the largest helicopter operators in the world. In his management positions with Era, Robert was primarily responsible for all day-to-day activities, including its offshore oil and gas support operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, its tour division in Juneau and Denali, Alaska, its air medical EMS operations in the northeast United States and Florida, its joint venture Part 142 Training Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, all international and joint venture activities (including a large operation in Brazil), and its international operations and aircraft leasing division.

Ed Washecka
CEO, Waypoint Leasing

Mr. Washecka is the CEO and founder of Waypoint and has more than 20 years of experience in the helicopter industry. In founding Waypoint, Mr. Washecka raised US$450 million in equity commitments and built a highly-experienced management team to quickly ramp Waypoint into the largest independent helicopter lessor, with more than US$1.4 billion of helicopters on lease and a further US$1.3 billion of helicopters on order or under contract to date. Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited provides operating lease and financing solutions to helicopter operators worldwide, having leased and operated helicopters in more than 25 countries. Headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, Waypoint also has offices in Connecticut, London, UK, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town and Brisbane. Waypoint serves a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting and governmental support. Prior to Waypoint, Mr. Washecka was CEO of Era Group Inc. (NYSE: Era), the helicopter subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings (NYSE: CKH). Over the course of a decade, Mr. Washecka built SEACOR’s initial small seed investment in helicopters to more than US$710 million in helicopter assets through organic growth and acquisition. Era’s 800+ employees operated and supported more than 175 helicopters in the US, Australia, Brazil, India and other major markets. While leading Era’s helicopter operating business, Mr. Washecka pioneered Era Leasing, which grew to encompass over 45 medium and heavy helicopters leased to operators in more than a dozen countries worldwide. Mr. Washecka is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Business School.

helicopter operating business, Ed pioneered Era Leasing, which grew to encompass over 45 medium and heavy helicopters leased to operators in more than a dozen countries worldwide.

Ed is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Business School.

Nigel Watson
Director, Luviair Ltd

“Nigel is recognised as one of the leading authorities on VIP helicopter operations within the luxury yachting industry and in the field of aviation management.

Following a career in the Royal Navy and the Sultan of Oman’s Navy spanning over twenty years, Nigel was appointed as the first Captain of the Motor Yacht Golden Shadow. As both a yacht master and commercial helicopter pilot, Nigel understands both the yacht Captain and the Pilot’s perspectives when it comes to onboard air operations.

In 2000, recognising that the future would bring larger yachts with embarked helicopters Nigel founded his first aviation company ‘Heli Riviera’. Heli Riviera continues to provide operational support services from its Cannes Mandelieu airport base and accredited training services to yacht crews.

Nigel established ‘Luviair’ in 2016, an Isle of Man based aviation management company, managing helicopters for VIP clients flying predominantly in the luxury yachting industry. Luviair currently manages a fleet of twin engine Airbus helicopters in London, the South of France and embarked at sea.

Built on the expertise gained in the heli-yachting world, Nigel’s specialist consulting company, ‘Nigel Watson Limited’, focuses upon the integration of helicopters aboard some of the largest super yachts in the world, helicopter acquisitions and sales.”

Ray Weiser
Helicopter Program Specialist, JSSI

Ray Weiser is an aviation industry professional with over 38 years of experience in various elements of rotary and fixed-wing operations. A US Army helicopter Crew Chief and veteran, Ray has extensive corporate and commercial experience in aircraft maintenance, operations, and technical services. Throughout Ray’s career, he has accumulated more than 13 years of OEM experience with Turbomeca as a technical representative, and Rolls-Royce as a Regional Manager. Ray also has extensive MRO experience, spending 8 years with Vector Aerospace. In addition to holding his A&P license with Inspection Authorization, Ray has a myriad of OEM factory approved technical training certifications for both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Ray has experience with FAR Part-91, Part -135, and Part-145 operations and has even supported the FAA and NTSB through accident investigation. Most recently, he served as a VP of Sales and Business Development for an FAA Part-145 Helicopter Repair Station. Ray also aids airborne law enforcement as a Technical Advisor and through selfless dedication to voluntarily helping his community, he was awarded the honor of Special Deputy through the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department. He has bought, sold, owned, operated and maintained aircraft of all types and currently serves as JSSI”s Helicopter Program Specialist in support of their global fleet. Ray currently serves the Helicopter Association International as a member of the Technical Committee.

Gerard Wiencke
Head of AVIATION Competence Center, UniCredit Leasing Group

Gerald has more than 20 years of experience in banking and leasing business, mainly in asset financing. He joined UniCredit Leasing in 1996 as sales manager. In 1996 Gerald was given responsibility to set up and be co-head of a new business division “structured finance”. He was in charge for all aspects of asset financings (mainly aviation, rolling stock, renewable energy, big tickets) including negotiating, structuring, documenting, syndicating and enforcing transactions.

In 2010, Gerald was appointed Head of AVIATION Competence Center for UniCredit Leasing Group with responsibility for the aircraft financing team being located in Munich, Vienna and Milan. In the same year, Gerald was appointed Director of UniCredit Leasing Germany.

His previous banking experience – mainly trade finance and corporate finance – was with Commerzbank and HypoVereinsbank.

Gerald holds an MBA (diploma) in business administration (banking and taxes) from Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich.

Bill Wolf
President & CEO, Lobo Leasing

Since graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1991, Bill Wolf has been an investment banker and financial advisor with Goldman, Sachs & Co., HSBC and Credit Suisse. Bill left investment banking in 2008 and entered private practice, where he invested in service, retail and private financial companies. In this connection, Bill and members of his family formed Wolf Partners to invest in and arrange financing for private companies in the energy, aviation, and investment management among other sectors. Bill, along with his father Howard Wolf, is a founding partner of Lobo Leasing.

Zohar Zik
Partner, Holman Fenwick Willan

Zohar is a Partner at the Global Aviation Department of Holman Fenwick Willan LLP. His has particular expertise in advising on aviation finance and leasing transactions, complex commercial contracts and regulatory matters.

Zohar has advised extensively on fleet management issues, such as aircraft procurement, purchase and disposal, operating leasing, sub-leasing, lease novations and amendments and end of lease returns. His aviation finance experience includes sale and leaseback transactions, debt financing, hire purchase and conditional sale agreements, receivables financing and securitisation.

In particular, Zohar has advised helicopter operators and lessors on a variety of issues including leasing and financing transactions and insurance.

Zohar is the former General Counsel – Aviation of TUI Travel, a leading global tourism company and operator of one of Europe’s largest fleets of aircraft. He is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]