Edward Medici is Managing Director of Capital Markets for Banc of America Global Corporate Aircraft Finance (GCAF) at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Based in Providence, RI, Mr. Medici is responsible the management and development of strategic investor and trading relationships, oversees sales of transactions to third party investors and supports all of GCAF’s activities across its global platform.

In 1996 Ed began his working experience in contracts at predecessor Fleet Capital Corporation and has been a part of Banc of America Leasing’s Capital Markets group for general equipment and corporate aircraft transactions since 1998. 

Ed earned a B.A. from Connecticut College and J. D. from Roger Williams School of Law and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar.

Bryan Byers is Vice President of Scope Aircraft Finance.  Scope Aircraft Finance specializes in financing new and used high-performance pistons, turboprops, helicopters and light jet aircraft primarily for the owner-flown aircraft market.  Scope also offers floorplan inventory financing for select aircraft dealers across the United States.  Scope is a subsidiary of Park National Bank headquartered in Ohio.  

Bryan graduated from Indiana State University in 1997 with a degree in Aerospace Administration. He has spent his entire career in the aircraft finance industry having worked for Cessna Finance Corporation (1997 – 2001), 1st Source Bank – Aircraft Division (2001-2019), and most recently joined the team at Scope Aircraft Finance in November 2019.  Bryan has served a variety of roles in aviation lending including sales, research, credit, and even some time as a repo pilot back in his younger days.  Bryan holds his Private Pilot certificate and enjoys flying, attending aviation industry events, and is a self-described aviation fanatic.  Bryan is an active member of various trade associations including the National Business Aviation Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, as well as several of the aircraft owner group associations.  He and his wife Courtney live in Osceola, IN with their son Chase and daughter Katelyn. 

Andrew Farrant serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Global Jet Capital. Prior to joining GJC, Andrew was the Vice President of Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Corporate Communications for Sequa Corporation and Chromalloy where he led strategic planning and brand development. He previously worked at StandardAero, leading brand development and management. Prior to that, he led the successful corporate rebranding of Landmark Aviation, a Carlyle Group company formed after the merger of three aviation businesses, including an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul network. He previously spent 15 years in marketing leadership positions at Bombardier Aerospace. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

TVPX President, Tobias Kleitman, founded TVPX in 2002. TVPX has since brought together a team of experts who have earned a reputation for integrity, efficiency, confidentiality and security among aircraft owners and professionals worldwide. Each year, TVPX facilitates billions of dollars in 1031 exchanges and owner trusts and in 2018 has expanded services by establishing a licensed customs brokerage focusing on cross border aircraft transactions as well as incorporating TVPX Aviation Insurance Inc. to provide insurance brokerage services to clients. 

As Managing Director, Theresa is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the organization and its initiatives, including the organization's board and biannual meetings. Prior to her role as Managing Director, Theresa had over 25 years of experience with Lockheed Martin Corporation and Marriott Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland where her roles ranged from Global Supply Chain Operations Manager and Project Management. She brings a solid background in contract negotiations, customer relations, business strategy and event management. She also led virtual teams across Enterprise Operations to transform their processes with significant improvements in customer satisfaction as well as team lead for the Supplier Diversity Program initiatives.

Theresa serves as Secretary for National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA). She is a graduate of James Madison University with a B.S. in Communications.

David Warner is Chair of the Lane Powell PC Aviation Practice Group, a leading Pacific Northwest lawfirm headquartered in Seattle with offices in Washington, Portland, Alaska and London, England. He focuses his practice on aviation law and frequently advises clients on aircraft acquisition, disposition, operation, leasing and financing. In addition, David also has extensive experience in business and securities law, mergers & acquisitions, securities regulation, finance and community banking. In the nearly 30 years he has been practicing law, he has represented clients ranging from start-ups to large public companies and has considerable experience advising the Board of Directors. He is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell. David is an active participant in Bar and trade association groups, and serves on the Boards of Directors and is General Counsel to the National Aircraft Finance Association and the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association. He is a frequent speaker at aviation-related seminars around the country.

James M. Blessing is the Vice President of Air Fleet Capital, Inc., a finance firm focused on aircraft lending to the “owner-flown” segment of the aviation industry. At Air Fleet, he oversees all functions of the company, to include strategic planning, marketing and sales, and he participates regularly with credit evaluation and underwriting. He joined Air Fleet in 1999 and has helped participate in its growth from a new entrant in aircraft lending to one of the larger firms in the segment. Prior to Air Flee the was the CFO for an aviation company with a focus on government contracting, a firm that provided logistical support through the Department of Defense and United Nations special programs groups worldwide.

Jim has worked in the field of aviation for his entire career, receiving his BS in Aviation from Florida Institute of Technology in 1988. He is a Private Pilot, a 25 year member of AOPA and a lifetime member of the EAA, the two largest aviation organizations in the United States. Aviation is in his blood, as he was originally inspired to pursue aviation by his father who served in the USAF. His wife Cathy is also a pilot with both Instrument and Seaplane ratings.

When he is not working at Air Fleet, Jim can be found actively supporting his local community, running an occasional half-marathon, or otherwise enjoying just about any New England sports team from his home in Arizona.

Richard K. Barret is Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Business Aviation lending at The Huntington National Bank. He has more than 38 years of experience in the field of aviation finance. During his career he has successfully negotiated and funded more than two billion dollars of aircraft leasing and finance transactions in both the business and commercial aircraft space. Richard’s experience in closing transactions in the United States, Central & South America, Europe and Asia provide him with a distinct and unique understanding of the aviation financing arena.

Richard is a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Aircraft Finance Association, and The Experimental Aircraft Association. Richard currently serves on the Parker County Appraisal Board and recently completed a twelve year term on the Board of Trustees of his local school board.  He has previously served on various other boards including the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mission Possible, Vision America, Provident Bank and the Denton Airport Board.

A graduate of The University of North Texas, Richard earned a BBA in Finance. He is a pilot with both Instrument and Multiengine ratings. Richard also holds a Texas Real Estate license.

He was reared in Comanche County, Texas on a Hereford cattle ranch and is still active in family operations. Richard and his wife of 40 years, Shirley, live in a country setting west of the DFW metro area. They have four grown children and three grandsons.  

As Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Strategy Officer of Jet Support Services, Inc (JSSI), Megha Bhatia leads the marketing and account management organizations as well as works closely with the remaining leadership team to shape the business strategy and direction.

Megha previously served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Rolls-Royce Business Aviation where she oversaw the strong growth of their aftermarket maintenance program, CorporateCare® Enhanced. In this role, Megha was also instrumental in the strategic development of additional services and their sustainable program SAFinity, including spearheading SAFinity’s marketing campaign.

Prior to her role as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Megha amassed over a decade of experience specializing in sales, customer experience and strategy at Rolls-Royce. Over the course of her career, she has partnered with marine, airline and business aviation customers globally while based in United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore. During this time, Megha held key leadership positions heading aftermarket sales and business development for marine ship intelligence and transforming the customer issues resolution process.

Megha Bhatia holds a Master's degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Embry-Riddle University. Megha is an active leader in the Business Aviation industry, serving on the National Business Aviation Association Advisory Council, the National Aircraft Finance Association Board, the International Aircraft Dealers Association Foundation Board, and most recently has joined the Embry-Riddle University Business Leadership Board.

Stephen Friedrich is the Chief Commercial Officer at Embraer Executive Jets, where he is responsible for the direct management of the global sales organization for new and pre-flown aircraft as well as the oversight of relationships with customers and industry collaborators. With more than 30 years of experience in the leasing and aerospace sectors, his wealth of experience spans sales, marketing, finance, aftermarket programs and customer support and services. 

Prior to joining Embraer, Friedrich led global sales efforts and marketing activities at Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace Business Aviation as the company’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. His previous banking and aviation finance experience include key leadership positions as Vice President at Summit Bank of New Jersey and Assistant Vice President at United Jersey Bank. 

Friedrich graduated with an A.B. in Economics & Business from Lafayette College and received his M.B.A. from the Stern School at New York University.       

Jack Gilchrist is the founding director and shareholder of Gilchrist Aviation Law. He serves as special counsel representing clients involved in all areas of the aviation industry. Since 1989, Mr. Gilchrist has specifically focused his career on aviation transactions involving every current structure of aircraft including engines, propellers and spare parts.

Mr. Gilchrist has counseled clients around the world in aircraft transactions, including many of the major air carriers, aircraft and engine leasing companies, fractional ownership programs, air cargo companies, corporations, banks and other lending institutions. He also works closely with aircraft brokers, dealers and manufacturers. 

As a member of several professional organizations, including the Oklahoma Bar Association (1989), Aircraft Finance subcommittee of the American Bar Association and the Legal Advisory Panel to the Aircraft Working Group under the Cape Town Convention, Mr. Gilchrist works with lawyers and aviation industry leaders to foster improvement,  change, trends and advancement in U.S. and international aviation law.

Mr. Gilchrist holds a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He has served as pro bono legal counsel for the Oklahoma Counsel of Public Affairs and Oklahoma Christian School, where he also serves as a board member. In his spare time, Mr. Gilchrist enjoys woodworking, the outdoors, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Keith Hayes is senior vice president and national sales manager of PNC Aviation Finance.  Prior to joining PNC Aviation Finance in 2017, Keith was with Regions Bank, BB&T and GE Capital for 27 years where he held numerous leadership roles across different business lines, including the last 8 years as national sales manager for GE Capital Corporate Aircraft Finance. Keith is on the board of directors of the National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) and serves as the 2^ndvice chairman of products and services for the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). Keith holds a B.A. in business administration and a MIS degree from the University of North Florida.

David Hudak

President – Aircraft Division

1st Source Bank

South Bend, IN

Education:     

Indiana University, South Bend, IN (December 1989)

B.S. in Business with majors in Accounting and Management

Background:

David Hudak is President of 1st Source Bank’s Aircraft Financing Division (promoted to this position in January 2020). 1st Source Bank has been a leading business aircraft lender since 1986 and serves a wide range of clients throughout the North and South Americas.  David has more than 30 years of experience in various commercial credit functions, 20 years in aviation credit underwriting.  David recently celebrated his 25^th anniversary with 1^st Source Bank in May 2020.    During David’s tenure with 1st Source he has held senior positions in various credit functions overseeing underwriting of transportation and equipment including over 20 years leading the Aircraft Credit Underwriting Team.  Prior to joining 1st Source Bank in 1995, he worked at Clark Credit Corporation, a subsidiary or The Associates Commercial Corporation in a credit role.

Organizations:

Previously held positions include Treasurer with Harris Township Senior/Junior Baseball Association, Assistant Treasurer at the LaSalle Council Boy Scouts; Assistant Treasurer at Stone Soup Community, Board member with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana.  

Hobbies:

Golf, sports, travel, family including 2 children and 2 grandchildren

Lifelong resident of St. Joseph County in Indiana. 

Jens Hennig is responsible for GAMA’s activities for advancing safety, security and operations. He is the association’s primary staff person on Air Traffic Control modernization and issues affecting manufacturer flight operations.

Jens’ engagement in policy and rulemaking committees covers a wide range of topics including ADS-B rule development and implementation, landing and takeoff performance standards, and rulemaking cost analysis. He chaired FAA’s airman training and testing standards rulemaking committee which developed the new framework for pilot training in the United States and also managed the agency’s review of the Part 135/125 regulations. He is actively engaged in the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee which is an essential body to advance GA safety based on data- driven, systematic processes, and serves as co-chair of its Safety Analysis Team.

Jens is appointed to the aircraft manufacturer seat on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) and serves as its general aviation subcommittee chair. He also served as co-chair of FAA’s Aircraft System Information Security / Protection working group on cybersecurity.

On the legislative front, Hennig provides technical analysis about security, funding,  and ATC modernization to GAMA’s government affairs team. He has testified about NextGen and homeland security before the U.S. Congress.

He has been a member of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) Flight Standards subcommittee since its formation in 2005, focusing on the agency’s extension of scope and the establishment of a safety agreement between the European Union and the United States. He served as chair of EASA’s Operational Suitability Data rulemaking group for type design changes and was a member of the committee that developed the regulatory amendment for operation of single engine airplanes in commercial service as well as rulemaking tasks focused on surveillance and data link services. Previously Jens served as the GA manufacturing industry’s representative on the Joint Aviation Authorities Operations Sectorial Team.

Hennig is actively involved with advancing data collection for the general aviation industry and frequently presents overviews of the state of general aviation, including the quarterly industry aircraft shipment report.

Jens has served on the RTCA Advisory Board since 2019.

Having joined GAMA in 2003 as Manager of Operations after a stint as manager of flight operations for contract training at Embry Riddle, Jens has advanced to Vice President, Operations. Originally from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, he holds a Bachelor of Science with honors in Aerospace Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Master of Business Administration in Aviation.

Jens serves as the staff contact for GAMA’s Flight Operations Policy Committee and the Security Issues Committee.

Bruce serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for AIC Title Services, LLC, helping ensure that AIC’s clients and leadership are protected as they move through unprecedented FAA and industry changes.

Prior to joining AIC he served as: senior director and division general counsel of fractional aircraft ownership program; corporate counsel and business manager for a charter management company with both Part 135 on-demand air cargo and passenger operations; performed litigation, workouts and commercial loan transactions as vice president and legal officer for a major financial institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and; in private practice, represented banks, construction companies, transportation companies, and employee benefits funds in commercial litigation matters. Bruce is a frequent speaker at aviation industry events. 

DONALD J. POINTER

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Dassault Falcon Jet 

Mr. Donald Pointer has been in the aviation industry for twenty-nine years and has been with Dassault for twenty-two years. After joining Dassault customer service in 1997, he has held various positions, including Director of Service Engineering for six years prior to joining the Dassault marketing department in 2006 as Director of Marketing Services & Development. 

Promoted in August of 2016 to his current position, he reports directly to the President and CEO, and oversees the company’s advertising, events, PR and communications groups as well as the back office functions of marketing research, sales engineering, cost of aircraft operation and administrative functions for DFJ Marketing.

His career began at Physical Acoustics Corporation in Princeton, NJ, as a Research Engineer/Manager for the aerospace industry where he applied the latest computer based acoustic NDT methods using pattern recognition and neural networks to various aircraft and rocket applications. 

He holds a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as an MBA from Rider University. Pointer is currently Co-Chairman of the College of Engineering Advisory Board at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is also a member of NBAA, NAFA, Wings Club of NY as well as other aerospace organizations.  

He resides in Yardley, Pennsylvania with his wife and two sons.            

AVP, Aviation Finance, LBC Capital, Inc.

Anthony (Tony) Schieber is the Director of Customer Finance at Textron Financial Corporation (TFC). TFC is the captive lender for all Textron products which include the Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker and Bell brands. As a captive lender TFC’s role is to support the financing of Textron equipment through direct financing or by engaging with a global network of lenders that are active in the aviation finance space.

Tony started his career with Hawker Beechcraft in 2007 as a member of the Financial Leadership Development program.  When the down turn occurred in 2009 Tony moved to a newly formed Sales Financing group within Hawker Beechcraft, and in 2012 became Head of Global Sales Finance for Hawker Beechcraft.  In 2014, with Beechcraft being purchased by Textron, Tony moved directly to Textron Financial.

Tony holds a bachelor’s in accounting as well as an MBA from Wichita State University.  Tony is married to his wife Kayla, and has three boys: Pete, Hank and Charles.

As Chairman Emeritus and Special Advisor to the JSSI Board of Directors, Mr. Seno provides counsel to the JSSI Board and represents JSSI at important business aviation conferences, events and meetings. Prior to joining JSSI, Mr. Seno held senior management positions at the business aircraft units of Boeing Capital Corp. and G.E. Capital Solutions.

Mr. Seno serves on the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Duncan Aviation. He is a member of the Board of Governors of The Flight Safety Foundation.

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.

David Vandenberg leads the Structured Finance team with overall responsibility for maintaining and managing a global network of third party banks, lessors, and brokers that finance the acquisition of Learjet, Challenger and Global business jet aircraft by Bombardier customers worldwide.  The team also works on special projects pertaining to residual values and innovative structured finance solutions.  

Prior to joining Bombardier Business Aircraft in 2006, he was Director of Structured Finance with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft arranging USLL, SIL, and debt financing for regional airline customers in North America.  

Mr. Vandenberg joined Bombardier in 2000 from the transportation unit of Export Development Canada (EDC) where he underwrote and negotiated loan financing for buyers of both fixed wing and rotary aircraft.  

He was born in Toronto, Canada and graduated from Carleton University where he obtained a Bachelor Public Administration.   He also earned a MBA from the University of Ottawa.

Mr. Vandenberg is based at Bombardier Business Aircraft headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

Phil leads Western Aircraft’s new and preowned aircraft sales and aircraft management/charter divisions, he has been with Western Aircraft since 1997. Western Aircraft is an authorized Piper dealer and the largest authorized Pilatus dealer in the world representing Pilatus with the PC-12 NG and the PC-24. Additionally, Western Aircraft operates an aircraft management division with an FAR 135 certificate and multiple aircraft, dba WestAir Charter. Prior to joining Western, Phil was a founding member of the Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beechcraft) Resale Group in Wichita, Kansas. Winters’ primary focus is building and leading a team devoted to customer relationships in order to provide the best solutions for all of their aviation needs. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Technology from LeTourneau University, and has been a pilot since 1990. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, is a Certified Flight Instructor, and an A&P mechanic and regularly enjoys flying the company’s Piper and Pilatus airplanes. Phil serves on the IADA Board of Directors, is an advisor to the Pilatus Owners and Pilot’s Association (POPA) Board and is the chair of the Piper Dealer Advisory Council. 

Tracey is the Marketing Director for the National Aircraft Finance Association.  During her tenure, she has grown the membership and increased the sponsorship revenue through the use of targeted marketing and advertising campaigns.