NAFA Foundation Education Committee:
The NAFA Education Committee is very pleased to have seen seven (7) students graduate from Embry-Riddle’s business aircraft finance program in the Spring, with three (3) additional graduates in the Fall. This first year of the NAFA aircraft finance program has been a tremendous success, and NAFA members should be proud that the organization has educated ten (10) young adults to be equipped to participate in the future aviation finance workforce.
The NAFA-designed coursework within the Master of Science in Aviation Finance program is a part of the NAFA Foundation’s 10-year partnership (endowment) with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and includes two specific college courses, NAFA-I and NAFA-II. Built in part thanks to NAFA’s Education Committee, in partnership with an excellent cross-section of the NAFA membership, the Association has laid the groundwork for long-term workforce development in aviation finance. We’d like to thank Isabelle Lafond, Rollie Vincent, Ramy Sidhom, Rick Berkemeier, Amanda Applegate, Lou Seno, and Jim Blessing, members of the NAFA Education Committee and NAFA Foundation, for such an impactful and precedent-setting initiative.
Welcoming New Members
NAFA has seen its membership base increase in 2025 to 188 member companies. We welcomed a total of 27 new member companies. This influx of fresh perspectives and expertise reinforces NAFA's position as a comprehensive network for all stakeholders within the general and business aviation industry.
NAFA Members Events
NAFA 53rd Annual Conference: Hosted at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this event brought together over 230 industry professionals to network, participate in insightful discussions, and discover the most recent trends and advancements in business and general aviation finance.
NAFA/IADA 2025 Networking Welcome Reception: This joint event with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), was held at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, NV. The event brought together over 640 participants from both Associations, providing valuable opportunities for networking, relationship building, and exploring new business prospects.
4th Annual NAFA Reception at EAA AirVenture: This year we collaborated with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) for our 4th Annual reception at the prestigious EAA AirVenture expo. In addition to NAFA and IADA, over 20 Embry-Riddle students/interns were in attendance. Totaling over 120 attendees. Thank You to GAMA for their hospitality.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
Webinars:
Produced 4 webinars in 2025:
NAFA invested resources dedicated to transactional integrity, tariffs and tax implications:
NAFA Webinar Recap: Navigating Tariffs When Importing Aircraft into the U.S.
NAFA Webinar: Operational Issues - What you need to know post sale
The NAFA Newsletter: Our monthly publication with top articles:
If you’re interested in contributing an article for 2026, don’t hesitate to reach out to theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero.
Honoring a Legacy of Achievement:
David Warner Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aircraft Finance Association
We were pleased to present Dave Warner with the NAFA Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAFA 53rd Annual Conference. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the aircraft finance industry throughout their career and underscores the importance of the Association’s values.
Leadership and Vision for the Future
NAFA welcomed several new board members in 2025: Christopher Lee,1st Source Bank;
Jim Blessing, AirFleet Capital; Brian Macbean, AOPA; Dave Wall, TVPX; John Odegard, 5X5 Trading. Bryan Byers, Prism Bank, has taken over the role of NAFA President and Paula Staciarini, Embraer, has taken over the role of Treasurer. Thank you to the following outgoing Board members for their commitment and dedication to the NAFA Board: Ed Medici, Bank of America; Anthony Schieber, Textron Financial Corp; and Phil Winters, Western Aircraft.
Looking Ahead: NAFA in 2026
As we move into 2026, NAFA will focus on providing the business and general aviation finance community opportunities for growth and betterment through collaboration, member expertise, and educational content. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for updates!
This article was published by NAFA on December 8, 2025.