Jeremy Akel

OHI Helicopters International

Jeremy Akel is Group CEO of Omni Helicopters International, the largest provider of air mobility and delivery services in Latin America. He brings over 30 years of aviation experience and leads large-scale operations across the region, with a focus on scaling reliable, real-world systems and preparing for the integration of next-generation aircraft, including eVTOL.

Mashhour Al Saadi

THC

Mashhour Al Saadi is a finance executive with over 18 years of experience in corporate banking, finance, and leadership. He is currently the Deputy CEO and the Chief Finance Officer and at The Helicopter Company (THC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he oversees the company’s financial strategy and operations.

Previously, Mashhour held senior roles at ACWA Power, including Chief Finance Officer for the Operations & Maintenance (NOMAC) and Regional CFO – KSA, where he was responsible for financial oversight across multiple jurisdictions, business units and portfolios. Moreover, Mashhour had a corporate banking experience of 10 years in Saudi Investment Bank and Arab National Bank, specializing in financing large corporates.  In addition to his executive roles, Mashhour has served as a Board, and Board subcommittee Member for multiple entities locally and internationally within ACWA Power Group.

Mashhour holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from Applied Science University and has completed professional certifications in strategic management, credit and leadership from institutions such as INSEAD, Euromoney, and Meirc. His expertise includes corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, PPPs and IPOs.

Russell Christopher

ITE Management

Russell has invested in the aviation markets for over a quarter century. Most recently, he led deal origination and sales & marketing for RPK Capital, a former portfolio company of The Carlyle Group dedicated to aircraft leasing. Before that, Russell worked at GAAM UK Pty Ltd, a private equity firm specializing in commercial aircraft, and at First Greenwich Kahala, where he originated and structured transactions related to aircraft coming off lease or returned early.

Duncan Daines

Gama Aviation

Duncan is the Group CMO of Gama Aviation Plc. Since joining the company in 2014, Duncan has been part of Gama Aviation’s global leadership team with responsibilities in Investor Relations, reputation, communications and the prosecution of sales leads within our global lines of business. Duncan joined from a consulting background having worked extensively in Europe, Middle East and Asia across a variety of sectors including airlines, ground handling, wealth, energy and business aviation.

Ryan Densham

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Biography coming soon 

Jason Diniz

Eagle Copters

Jason is passionate about everything related to Aviation, and in his words, “working at Eagle is living my dream each day.” Hailing from Mumbai, India, he watched helicopters launch from Juhu Aerodrome and the fixed-wing aircraft traffic out of Mumbai International Airport – aviation became a passion from a very young age. Jason wanted to become a pilot and even started flight school, but aviation was facing significant headwinds at the time. He instead completed his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in the US, and worked for a few global organizations in the USA and Canada, mainly in the Manufacturing and Mining sectors. In 2019, Jason joined Eagle as the VP of Sales & Marketing. This role allowed him to manage and develop a centralized strategy across all sales channels and business lines. After a year, he pursued other mining opportunities, but his passion for aviation and Eagle was alive and well all along. After two years, he is now back at Eagle Copters and focused on doing what’s best for stakeholders, customers, and the industry at large.

Emmanuel Dupuy

Aero Asset

Emmanuel began selling fixed and rotary wing aircraft in 2004. In 2009, Emmanuel founded Heli Asset a firm dedicated to helicopter sales, which later merged with Avpro, a world leading aircraft brokerage firm. Emmanuel has completed hundreds of aircraft transactions, across the globe. In 2019, he co-founded Aero Asset with Valerie Pereira & William Sturm.

Jarle Gaard

Equinor

Global Category Manager Logistics

Roberto Garavaglia

Leonardo Helicopters

Roberto Garavaglia holds a MSc in Aeronautical Engineering at the Milan Polytechnic and is now SVP Strategy & Innovation at Leonardo – Helicopter Division, a leading helicopter OEM with main industrial activities in Italy, UK, Poland, Switzerland and the USA.

He led AgustaWestland Marketing from 2003 to 2013, contributing, with his Italian and UK-based teams, to product definition, user segment development and sales achievements in both civil and military international markets.

In Dec. 1998, he joined Agusta SpA acting as area manager for civil sales in several Central and Northern European countries.
Between Jun. 1991 and Nov. 1998 he was in Toulouse at ATR, the regional aircraft manufacturer, holding several posts in Marketing and Sales, eventually leading the Airline Marketing team.
In 1989 he joined Aero Engineering, an aeronautical design Company in Milan, as a system and structural engineering analyst on several civil and military programmes.

Sebastien Larue

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Sebastien Larue joined Pratt & Whitney in May 2017 serving several positions such Digital Engine Services Sales Lead & ESP strategy for our General Aviation customers. He is currently Director for Business Transformation and Aftermarket Services. In his responsibilities, he overlook at Long Term Engine leasing solutions & other aftermarket services and products. He also lead enterprise risk management, 3rd party relationship with banks, dealers, brokers, appraisers and financial institutions.

Prior joint Pratt & Whitney, Sebastien spent more than 18 years at CAE inc. where he held many different roles such as product management, marketing and commercial strategy. His last position was OEM Account Manager for Airbus and ATR and Senior Sales Manager for European customers such as Air France, KLM & Finnair.

Christopher Lloyd

Aerius Leasing

Chris has been a helicopter industry specialist for over 35 years, starting his career in operations with Aerolift International and subsequently as CEO of Lloyd Helicopters where he focused on sales, consultancy, brokerage and leasing.

Through Lloyd Helicopters, Chris sold over 350 helicopters and structured offshore helicopter leases into China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia, amongst others.

Chris’ most recent role was with LCI Aviation, now SMFLH, a market leader in international commercial helicopter leasing, where he was in charge of the business in the Asia Pacific region.

​Chris has built strong relationships with his contacts in the helicopter industry and has expert knowledge of the Asia Pacific helicopter operational landscape.

Chris holds an Executive MBA, Aviation & Air Transport Track, from Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Advanced Management Programme certifications from IATA in Geneva, Switzerland and Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, USA. He also qualified as both a fixed wing and helicopter pilot.

Vishok Mansingh

Vman

An electrical engineer with a specialization Management. He has over 39 years of multi-faceted experience in the aviation industry across several geographies. This experience encompasses aerospace defense manufacturing with national and international airlines, helicopter operations and aviation asset management, amongst other aspects.

His expertise is in Aircraft manufacturing , Aircraft Modification , M&A, Asset Management , turnaround of distressed regional airlines ,Aircraft Leasing.

He has contributed in set up India’s First-Cargo Airline , Helicopter Medical Emergency Services , Aircraft Leasing , Independent CAMO.

Vishok is also actively engaged in RCS from UDAAN 1, Member of consultive committee of IFSCA on Leasing , Member of CII task force on eVTOL.

David Mizrahi

Airbus Bank

Experienced Director Corporate Finance with a demonstrated history of working in the financing industry. Skilled in Corporate Finance, Finance Engineering, LBO, and Due Diligence. Strong finance professional graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique, Paris and Ecol hationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Sébastien Moulin

Milestone

Mr. Moulin was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in April 2024, overseeing Milestone’s worldwide business, and leading the global commercial team to achieve corporate growth targets and portfolio placements. During his career at Milestone, Mr. Moulin has served as Head of Europe & Americas from May 2019, and Vice President Commercial Europe from June 2015. He has over 20 years’ experience in the helicopter industry. He began his career at Airbus Helicopters in France, and from there moved to Airbus Helicopters in Southeast Asia where he was responsible for helicopter sales in the civilian markets of The Philippines and Indonesia. He then joined Bell Helicopter as Regional Sales Manager in Europe. Mr. Moulin holds a Master’s degree in International Business from the Kedge Business School in France.

Thibault Nicodeme

SAF Aerogroup

Thibault Nicodeme is the Co-CEO of SAF Aerogroup, in charge of Finance, Support Functions and Strategy. He has more than 20 years of experience in various industry positions, with a specific focus on M&A, Financing, and High Growth environments. He joined SAF Aerogroup in 2021 as group CFO, before stepping-up as Co-CEO in 2024.

Since 2021 and under his leadership, SAF Aerogroup has grown from a strong French EMS and AW operator, to a leading European helicopter operator, with a focus on EMS, Firefighting and Humanitarian missions. More recently, he has successfully conducted the change of ownership process for SAF Aerogroup, with the arrival of two new investors: Vesper infrastructure and Infracapital.

Alan O’Rourke

SMFL Helicopters

Alan O’Rourke leads the company’s engagement with capital markets, bringing deep experience in treasury and capital raising strategies from his previous role as Chief Financial Officer of LCI.

Alan’s joined LCI in 2013 as VP Finance, becoming SVP Finance with responsibility for developing relationships with financial partners to source and originate capital for the organisation, and oversight of the accounting team.

Alan holds a BA in Accounting and Human Resource Management and is a qualified Certified Chartered Accountant. He previously worked for Capita, AIB and Deloitte, and holds a Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from The Law Society of Ireland.

Viktoriia Padalka

Biography coming soon

Joao Paulo Servera

Veirano Advogados

João Paulo Servera leads Veirano’s Aviation & Aircraft Finance group and focus his practice on corporate law, aircraft and engine financing and general aviation matters. JP advises in a variety of matters, including foreign investment and crossborder transactions, with significant experience in asset financing transactions, especially in respect to commercial aircraft and engines, general aviation, offshore helicopters and spare parts acquisition. JP assists ECAs, banks, financiers and lessors, as well as borrowers, lessees and operators and holds extensive background in aircraft-related commercial litigation, mostly involving aircraft repossession, insolvency procedures and bankruptcy. Important clients also rely in JP for corporate, regulatory and customs matters
support.

John Petkovic

SMFL Helicopters

John leads SMFL Helicopters. He is focused on advancing its commercial strategy, strengthening its international footprint, driving operational excellence, and building a high-performing, inclusive culture across teams worldwide.

A transformational finance and business executive with over 20 years of experience in global aviation finance, John previously served as CEO of Macquarie Rotorcraft. He guided the business through one of the most challenging downturns in industry history and successfully led the integration of Waypoint Leasing following its acquisition out of bankruptcy in 2019. Under his leadership, Macquarie Rotorcraft achieved significant growth and positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in the rotorcraft sector, including eVTOL development.

Before leading Macquarie Rotorcraft, John played a key role in establishing Macquarie AirFinance and served as its Chief Financial Officer. He began his career in private transportation leasing and finance as Head of Corporate Strategy at AWAS, a Morgan Stanley-owned aircraft lessor, and contributed to the sale of the business in 2006.

John started his professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He holds a degree in Commerce from the University of New South Wales.

Marcelo Rajchman

Ecocopters

Marcelo currently serves on the Advisory Board of both Helisul Group and Ecocopter, a renowned helicopter operator in South America managing a fleet of +100 helicopters across sectors including mining, firefighting, HEMS, energy, telecom, and tourism. Ecocopter was recently acquired by Helisul Group, one of the leading helicopter operators in Latin America.

Additionally, he is a Co-founder of Ecodrones and holds a position on the board of Automapp Cloud. Ecodrones specializes in drone operations for the forestry, mining, construction, and inspection industries. Meanwhile, Automapp Cloud offers cutting-edge software solutions that streamline the digitization of critical industrial assets for drone operators.

Beyond his corporate engagements, Marcelo is also a distinguished university professor of Strategy at Adolfo Ibañez University.

Before assuming his current roles, he gained valuable experience as a consultant at PwC and previously served as Corporate CEO of Ecocopter, leading the company’s growth across South America prior to its acquisition.
Marcelo’s diverse career has taken him across several countries, where he has lived and worked in Uruguay, Israel, Ireland, and Chile. He studied finance and business administration at ORT University Uruguay and later pursued his MBA at Adolfo Ibañez University in Chile. He also participated in the executive program at Singularity University in Sillicon Valley.

Dan Roberts

Lobo Leasing

Dan is Chief Executive Officer of Lobo Leasing.

Dan graduated from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and qualified as an English lawyer with the law firm Allen & Overy LLP. Dan worked in A&O’s aviation finance department advising airlines, lessors and financiers on a range of operating lease, debt, derivative, restructuring and merger transactions.

Subsequently, Dan worked with ILFC (now AerCap) where he handled the negotiation of commercial aircraft leases worldwide and managed a variety of repossessions and other contentious matters.

Dan joined Lobo in 2014, working initially as Chief Legal Officer, later as Chief Operating Officer and then as CEO from 2022 onwards.

Steve Robertson

Air & Sea Analytics

Steve leads LCI Analytics and is responsible for the development and creation of its range of reports and bespoke analysis and consultancy. He was previously the Founder and Principal of research and consulting firm Air & Sea Analytics.

Prior to that he spent 17 years at an energy-sector research and consulting business Westwood Global Energy in a number of roles including Director and Board Member. He led the firm’s oilfield services (OFS) research business unit and initiated coverage in several key OFS areas including offshore helicopters.

He also led and contributed to hundreds of bespoke consulting projects including commercial due diligence mandates relating to oilfield services and also helicopter companies such as CHC, NHV, Bond (now Babcock), Weststar and Pathfinder Aviation.

Brad Shaen

International Aviation Marketing

Brad Shaen is the Director and Founder of International Aviation Marketing Ltd. Since founding the company, he has become a global leader in helicopter sales and acquisition, especially in the offshore oil & gas and utility sector.

With almost 25 years of experience in aviation, Brad has built a strong reputation as an industry expert that provides value-added strategies to helicopter operators and financial institutions of all sizes.

Brad is the former Director of Sales for Heli-One, which is the Asset Management and Maintenance Division of CHC Helicopter Corporation. In this role, he worked with helicopter operators worldwide supporting Heli-One’s helicopter sales and leasing and maintenance and modification services. During his time at Heli-One, Brad helped launch the Heli-One brand globally to helicopter operators, financial institutions and industry participants.

Pat Sheedy

Milestone

Mr. Sheedy was appointed to the position of President and CEO of Milestone Aviation in December 2019, following his appointment as Managing Director in February 2015. He has over 20 years of international financial services experience, including having previously led the underwriting and portfolio management function at Milestone Aviation and also having overall risk responsibility for GE Engine Leasing and GECAS’ Cargo business. Prior to joining Milestone, he spent the majority of his career working in commercial aircraft leasing, with a particular focus on Emerging Markets, covering the Middle East, Africa and Russia. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in Ireland, where he spent 4 years in several roles including audit and assurance, corporate finance and corporate recovery, prior to joining GE in 2004. Mr. Sheedy obtained his Bachelor of Business Studies degree from University of Limerick and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Lars-Henrik Thorngreen

NHV

With over 30 years of experience in both civil and military aviation, Lars-Henrik Thorngreen has built a career defined by leadership, expertise, and a passion for the helicopter industry. From his early days in the Danish Air Force to key roles at Air Greenland and other major helicopter operators, he has navigated some of the sector’s most dynamic challenges.

Lars-Henrik first joined NHV in 2015 as Managing Director of NHV A/S and Chief Operations Officer for NHV Group, laying the groundwork for the company’s operational excellence and strategic vision. Now, as CEO, he leads NHV with a strong focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional service to clients worldwide.

Known for his collaborative approach and deep industry insight, Lars-Henrik is committed to driving both NHV and the wider
helicopter community toward a future of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Jennifer Whalen

Bristow Group

Jennifer Whalen currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Bristow Group Inc., a role she has held since June 2020. As CFO, Jennifer oversees a wide range of financial functions, including Information Technology, company accounting, decision support, financial reporting, internal audit, investor relations, strategy and M&A, and tax.

Prior to joining Bristow, Jennifer was Senior Vice President and CFO at Era Group Inc. from February 2018. She had previously served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Era Group from August 2013, and in June 2017, she was appointed Vice President and Acting Chief Financial Officer. Jennifer originally joined Era Group as Controller in April 2012.

Before her time at Era Group, Jennifer held various positions at nLIGHT Photonics Corporation from 2007 to 2012, including Director of Accounting. She also served as Manager of Accounting at InFocus Corporation for over two years. Jennifer began her career in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she worked in the assurance practice group for approximately five years after serving in the U.S. military.

Jennifer holds a B.S. in Accounting from Alabama A&M University and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.

Michael York

GDHF

Michael is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), a helicopter leasing and finance company based in Ireland.

Michael is a high integrity, charismatic and inspirational CEO who leads people, teams and companies to win. He has consistently delivered strong growth & excellent long-term outcomes in multiple industries. His experience includes decades of leadership and senior executive roles in global business, sales, finance, consulting, aviation. Michael previously served as a military leader and fighter pilot, flying and instructing on the F/A-18 Hornet.

Michael holds an MBA (with distinction) from the University of Newcastle, and a Bachelor of Science degree (UNSW). Most recently, Michael achieved great success during a 5-year period as the joint Head of Commercial for the world’s largest helicopter finance company.