Leading Executives in Leasing Companies
Brice Adamson
President, Enterprise Fleet Management
Long-time Enterprise executive who became president in 2021; under his leadership EFM surpassed 700,000 vehicles on lease and expanded to 60+ North American locations in 2024.
Tim Albertsen
Chief Executive Officer (through Dec 1, 2025), Ayvens (ALD Automotive | LeasePlan)
Global fleet-leasing leader steering the ALD–LeasePlan integration; on July 21, 2025 Ayvens announced he will retire effective December 1, 2025, with Philippe de Rovira named as successor.
Peter Barrett
Chief Executive Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital
One of aircraft leasing’s longest-serving CEOs (since 2004), leading a global top‑tier lessor that reported record profitability in FY2025 and continued fleet growth.
Robbie Blau
Chief Executive Officer, SG Fleet Group
Led SG Fleet’s transformation and the acquisition of LeasePlan ANZ; continues to guide the business through consolidation and strong earnings despite market volatility in 2024–2025.
Jie Chen
Chief Executive Officer, CDB Aviation
Appointed CEO in January 2023, he has driven top‑tier growth and innovative financing, including the industry’s first major sustainability‑linked syndicated term loan.
Andy Cronin
Chief Executive Officer, Avolon
Founding executive who became CEO in 2022; in July 2025 placed a 90‑aircraft Airbus order, taking Avolon’s backlog above 400 and underscoring its scale as the world’s No. 2 lessor.
Shlomo Crandus
Chief Executive Officer, Wheels
Orchestrated the Wheels–Donlen–LeasePlan USA combination and rebrand, creating a North American fleet mobility leader managing 800k+ vehicles.
Antoine Delautre
Interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Leasys (Stellantis / Crédit Agricole PF&M JV)
Promoted from Group CFO/Deputy CEO to interim Group CEO on September 4, 2025, to steer the pan‑European leasing JV’s next phase with a 900k‑vehicle fleet.
Laura Dottori-Attanasio
Chief Executive Officer, Element Fleet Management
Appointed CEO in 2023; recognized as Canada’s 2024 “New CEO of the Year” after accelerating strategy, M&A (e.g., Autofleet), and leadership succession (new CFO in 2025).
Michael J. Inglese
Chief Executive Officer, Aircastle
Veteran finance leader who became CEO in 2017; continues to lead the Marubeni–Mizuho‑owned lessor through active capital markets and portfolio management.
Aengus Kelly
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, AerCap
Heads the world’s largest aircraft lessor; frequent industry voice on OEM production and policy, with AerCap setting the pace in global aircraft and engine leasing.
Jesper Lyndberg
Chief Executive Officer, Alphabet International (BMW Group)
Took over as CEO on November 1, 2024, leading BMW’s fleet‑leasing arm across Europe with a focus on digitalization and sustainable mobility solutions for B2B clients.
James Meyler
Chief Executive Officer; Group Executive, ORIX Corporation, ORIX Aviation
CEO since 2018; additionally appointed Group Executive of ORIX Corporation (Japan) effective January 1, 2025, reflecting ORIX’s global growth in aviation finance.
Edward (Ted) O’Byrne
Chief Executive Officer, AviLease (Public Investment Fund)
Founding CEO scaling Saudi PIF‑backed AviLease via M&A, OEM orders and financing—e.g., 2025’s $1.5bn RCF and first direct Boeing 737‑8 order—to become a top‑tier global lessor.
John L. Plueger
Chief Executive Officer & President, Air Lease Corporation
Co‑architect of modern operating leasing; CEO/President guiding one of the largest public lessors, with expanded responsibilities noted in April 2025 following leadership changes.
Firoz Tarapore
Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)
CEO who has grown DAE into a top global lessor and, in May 2025, completed the acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital—bringing the combined fleet to ~750 owned/managed/committed aircraft.
Steven Townend
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation
Became MD & CEO on January 1, 2024; in March 2025 unveiled plans to buy 120 Airbus/Boeing narrowbodies as part of a push toward a 1,000‑aircraft fleet by 2030.
Alain van Groenendael
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Arval (BNP Paribas Group)
Chairman & CEO since 2019; oversees nearly 1.8 million vehicles (end‑2024) and the Element‑Arval Global Alliance, advancing electrification and mobility solutions.
Austin C. Willis
Chief Executive Officer, Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Succeeded company founder as CEO on April 1, 2022; leads a global jet‑engine lessor notable for specialty engine leasing and innovative ABS funding.
Steve Zissis
President & Chief Executive Officer, BBAM
Founder‑CEO of one of the world’s largest dedicated aviation asset managers, with $21B+ in aviation assets under management and a multi‑decade trading track record.
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