Willis Lease Finance Corporation announced that Brian R. Hole, its current Chief Investment Officer, will be promoted to President following the retirement of Donald A. Nunemaker effective March 31, 2016.
“Since joining Willis Lease in March 2014, Brian has taken on increasing responsibility for the development of the Company's long-term strategy and for producing near term financial results,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “In addition, Brian has served as our Chief Investment Officer since August 2014, responsible for executing our strategy for managing the Company’s existing $1.5 billion portfolio of owned and managed jet engines as well as our asset trading activities. He has consistently demonstrated the energy and ability to drive change and develop creative solutions that benefit our customers and the Company--exactly the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that has driven Willis Lease from its beginning. In the end, Brian’s experience with our customers, portfolio and team members, along with his deep understanding of our industry, made him our number one choice to succeed Don Nunemaker,” explained Willis. “We wish Don all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
In his time with the Company, Brian has spearheaded efforts to more actively manage and trade from within Willis Lease’s existing portfolio of jet engines, developing important strategic relationships for the Company along the way. In addition, he has led efforts to increase asset diversification within the portfolio resulting in the acquisition of over $100 million of mid- to late-life commercial aircraft both for lease and trading. Mr. Hole will continue the Company’s focus on these areas as President.
“I am obviously honored to receive this promotion and thankful to Charlie and the Board for placing their trust in me. I’m equally anxious to get started and look forward to continuing to build our senior management team and accelerating efforts to enhance the exceptionally strong platform that Charlie and Don have spent a lifetime building together,” said Mr. Hole.
Before joining Willis Lease, Mr. Hole was President of Aviation Opportunity Management LLC, advising large international financial institutions on investment in aviation assets. Before that, he served as counsel for Pratt & Whitney and IAE International Aero Engines AG where he was involved in a variety of aviation business activities, including aircraft and engine financing, capital raising, joint ventures, workouts, OEM engine sales and aftermarket transactions. He began his career as an attorney at Bingham McCutchen LLP, representing large financial institutions. He has a J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. degree from Georgetown University. He currently lives outside of San Francisco with his wife and their three daughters.