NAFA’s 54th Annual Conference a Great Success!
Savannah, GA, April 14-16, 2026 – #NAFA54 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) held its 54thAnnual Conference April 14-16, 2026. With 273 members in attendance (including 11 Embry-Riddle students), the conference was a great success! The conference was held at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia. The three-day event included a 1-day NAFA Aircraft Education Program, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University & NAFA Foundation update, Annual Business Meeting and a wide array of aviation and finance-specific Sessions.
“The 54thAnnual Conference reflects a continued commitment by NAFA to raise the bar, with business thought leaders, Aviation & Insurance industry experts, and seasoned veterans in the finance community,” said Bryan Byers president of NAFA. “Engaging discussions, presentations and panels about the future of the Aviation Industry & Finance, Preowned Business Aircraft Market, FAA Registry Privacy Issues/CARES and Aviation Insurance.”
Industry Keynote speakers this year were Ed Bolen, President & CEO, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and James A. Viola, President & CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) – Fireside Chat with Rollie Vincent, President, Rollie Vincent Associates (RVA).
Conference participants also included Fireside Chat with Todd Simmons, President of Customer Experience, Cirrus and Jim Blessing, President, AirFleet Capital. Also, an update from Scott Neal, SVP Worldwide Sales, Gulfstream.
Welcoming the New Members of the NAFA Board of Directors
This year, we welcome several new additions to the Board of Directors.
- 2nd Vice President: Chris Lee, 1st Source Bank
Members-at-Large: Joe DiLallo of Huntington Bank; Andrew Rebholz of Bank of America; Mike Smith of Scope Aircraft Finance
NAFA thanks outgoing Members-at-Large Bruce Marshall and Dave Vandenberg for their contributions.
Congratulations to our Golf winners AND “THANK YOU” to our Golf sponsors (McAfee & Taft, Falcon, AirFleet Capital, Dorr Aviation, Global Jet Capital, Huntington Bank, Prestige Aircraft Finance and TVPX):
1st Place: Richard Barret, Del Fogg, Michael Luftig, Eric Swanson
Closest to the Pin: Hunter Yahya
Straightest Drive: Emily Deaton
NAFA would like to thank the conference sponsors:
- Atlantic – A-1 Air & Sea Recovery, Aero Asset, AirFleet Capital, Scope Aircraft Finance, Embraer, GlobalAir.com, Insured Aircraft Title Service, and Sankaty Jet Capital.
- On The River – Echo Aviation Leasing and JSSI Advisory Services.
- Power Plant– Aircraft Bluebook, Aviation Legal Group, Crowe Dunlevy, LL Johns Aviation Insurance and PNC.
- Three Muses – AircraftPost, Bank of America, Buchanan, GAMA, MidFirst Bank, 1st Source Bank.
- NAFA/ASA – EyesOn Asset & Vinci Aeronautica.
NAFA’s 55thAnnual Conference is to be held at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa Valley, California April 20 through April 22, 2027.
About NAFA:
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 191 companies that have promoted the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer.
More information at https://www.nafa.aero.
