GAT leasing subsidiary takes off

The LFG management team has more than 35 years of combined experience in the aircraft and transportation finance sector. Prior to joining GAT, Lloyd and Heske co-founded Air Funding in 2016 to provide an alternative source of direct lending on commercial aircraft to lessors and airlines.

Prior to Air Funding, Lloyd spent 12 years at Carlson Capital as head of credit, airlines & aerospace.  He was the group founder and was responsible for a portfolio with peak assets of $475 million. He has also held executive positions at Credit Suisse and Chase Securities.

Heske was previously a managing director with Jefferies for seven years where he was responsible for trading, sourcing, and placing aviation related securities, loans, and bonds. His prior experience includes executive positions at Guggenheim Securities and Piper Jaffray Securities covering the aviation and transportation sectors.

LFG’s aim is to bring alternative sources of secured aircraft financing for lessors, investors, and airlines seeking solutions for both new and mid-life aircraft. The group will initially focus on senior debt, mezzanine debt, and uni-tranche structures.

Marc Cho, chief investment officer of GAT and president of the LTI Group (pictured above) , said: “LFG is the latest implementation of our strategy to utilize GAT’s extensive industry expertise, comprehensive technical capabilities and world-class execution to expand our platform as a unique integrated aviation solutions and service provider.

“Both David and Nolan are industry veterans with enviable track records and I have the utmost confidence that they will build LFG into a meaningful player in the aircraft finance market.”

Earlier this year, GA Telesis, along with its shareholder Tokyo Century Corporation, announced over $2.5 billion in new capital initiatives surrounding leasing products over the next 36 months.