Willis Lease Finance Corporation Welcomes Stephen Jones to its Board of Directors
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) has appointed Stephen Jones to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025. Jones brings 40 years of experience in airline and energy industries, including significant roles at Air New Zealand, Wizz Air, and Flair Airlines. His career highlights include serving as Deputy CEO of Wizz Air and CEO of Flair Airlines, where he established Canada's first true Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier.
The appointment coincides with the resignation of Rae Ann McKeating from the Board, effective December 31, 2024. McKeating served as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Jones holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland and has extensive experience in operational, commercial, and financial roles within the aviation industry.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) ha nominato Stephen Jones nel suo Consiglio di Amministrazione, con effetto dal 1° gennaio 2025. Jones porta con sé 40 anni di esperienza nei settori aerei e dell'energia, ricoprendo ruoli significativi in compagnie come Air New Zealand, Wizz Air e Flair Airlines. Tra i momenti salienti della sua carriera, si annoverano la carica di Vice CEO di Wizz Air e la posizione di CEO di Flair Airlines, dove ha fondato il primo vero vettore Ultra-Low-Cost in Canada.
La nomina coincide con le dimissioni di Rae Ann McKeating dal Consiglio, con effetto dal 31 dicembre 2024. McKeating ha ricoperto il ruolo di Presidente del Comitato Compensi. Jones ha conseguito una laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica presso l'Università di Auckland e ha una vasta esperienza in ruoli operativi, commerciali e finanziari nel settore dell'aviazione.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) ha nombrado a Stephen Jones en su Junta Directiva, con efecto a partir del 1 de enero de 2025. Jones aporta 40 años de experiencia en las industrias de aviación y energía, incluyendo roles significativos en Air New Zealand, Wizz Air y Flair Airlines. Los momentos destacados de su carrera incluyen haber sido Vice CEO de Wizz Air y CEO de Flair Airlines, donde estableció el primer verdadero transportista Ultra-Low-Cost de Canadá.
La nominación coincide con la renuncia de Rae Ann McKeating de la Junta, con efecto a partir del 31 de diciembre de 2024. McKeating se desempeñó como Presidenta del Comité de Compensación. Jones posee una Licenciatura en Ingeniería Mecánica de la Universidad de Auckland y cuenta con amplia experiencia en roles operativos, comerciales y financieros dentro de la industria de la aviación.
윌리스 리스 파이낸스 (NASDAQ: WLFC)는 2025년 1월 1일부로 스티븐 존스를 이사회에 임명했습니다. 존스는 에어 뉴질랜드, 위즈 에어 및 플레어 항공에서 중요한 역할을 포함하여 항공 및 에너지 산업에서 40년의 경험을 보유하고 있습니다. 그의 경력 하이라이트에는 위즈 에어의 부 CEO와 플레어 항공의 CEO로 근무하며 캐나다 최초의 진정한 초저가 항공사를 설립한 것이 포함됩니다.
이번 임명은 2024년 12월 31일부로 레이 안 맥키팅이 이사회에서 사임하는 것과 동시에 이루어졌습니다. 맥키팅은 보상 위원회 의장을 역임했습니다. 존스는 오클랜드 대학교에서 기계 공학 학사를 취득하였으며, 항공 산업 내 운영, 상업 및 재무 분야에서 폭넓은 경험을 가지고 있습니다.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) a nommé Stephen Jones à son Conseil d'Administration, avec effet à partir du 1er janvier 2025. Jones apporte 40 ans d'expérience dans les secteurs aérien et énergétique, y compris des rôles significatifs chez Air New Zealand, Wizz Air et Flair Airlines. Parmi les faits saillants de sa carrière, il a été Directeur Général adjoint de Wizz Air et Directeur Général de Flair Airlines, où il a établi le premier vrai transporteur à très bas coûts du Canada.
Cette nomination coïncide avec la démission de Rae Ann McKeating du Conseil, effective au 31 décembre 2024. McKeating a occupé le poste de Présidente du Comité de Rémunération. Jones possède un diplôme en ingénierie mécanique de l'Université d'Auckland et dispose d'une vaste expérience dans des rôles opérationnels, commerciaux et financiers au sein de l'industrie aéronautique.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) hat Stephen Jones mit Wirkung zum 1. Januar 2025 in seinen Vorstand berufen. Jones bringt 40 Jahre Erfahrung in der Fluggesellschafts- und Energiebranche mit, darunter bedeutende Rollen bei Air New Zealand, Wizz Air und Flair Airlines. Zu den Höhepunkten seiner Karriere gehört die Tätigkeit als stellvertretender CEO von Wizz Air sowie als CEO von Flair Airlines, wo er Kanadas erste echte Ultra-Low-Cost-Airline gegründet hat.
Die Ernennung fällt mit dem Rücktritt von Rae Ann McKeating aus dem Vorstand zusammen, der am 31. Dezember 2024 wirksam wird. McKeating war Vorsitzende des Vergütungsausschusses. Jones hat einen Bachelor-Abschluss in Maschinenbau von der University of Auckland und verfügt über umfangreiche Erfahrungen in operativen, kommerziellen und finanziellen Funktionen in der Luftfahrtindustrie.
- Appointment of director with extensive airline industry experience (40 years)
- Strategic expertise in airline operations, commercial activities, and financial management
- Strong background in international aviation alliances and ULCC operations
- Experience in both operational and executive leadership roles
- Loss of experienced board member and Compensation Committee Chair
Jones brings extensive airline, senior management, and governance experience
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Jones to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) effective January 1, 2025.
Mr. Jones has a 40-year career in the airline and energy industries. An engineer by training, he began in international oil and gas development, focusing on gas turbine cogeneration projects in North America and Australia. Joining Air New Zealand in 2001 as VP of Investor Relations, he played a key role in its post September 11th transformation. He managed Freedom Air, the Tasman and Pacific Islands airline, and the New Zealand domestic airline units. As Chief Network, Strategy, and Alliances Officer, he built alliances with major carriers like United Airlines and Air China and chaired the Star Alliance Management Board and Strategy Committee.
In 2017, Mr. Jones became Deputy CEO of Wizz Air, driving the growth of one of Europe’s largest Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers (ULCCs) and leading operations, commercial, digital, and sustainability initiatives. As CEO of Flair Airlines from 2020 to 2024, he established Canada’s first true ULCC, expanding across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
“We are delighted to welcome Stephen to our Board of Directors," said Charles F. Willis, Founder and Executive Chairman of WLFC. “Stephen brings an extensive depth of airline experience. He has worked for and with some of the best airlines in the world, in operational, commercial and financial roles, and has a very strong communication and leadership profile that will complement our existing board composition well.”
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be joining WLFC at this time. Charlie and the entire WLFC team have built a fantastic company that has now achieved real scale and market recognition. I firmly believe that the period ahead will continue to be one of strong growth for the Company and I look forward to working hard with the rest of the Board to cement WLFC’s position as the number one lessor of jet engines to the world’s airlines,” stated Mr. Jones.
Director Rae Ann McKeating submitted her resignation from the Board, which resignation was accepted and is effective December 31, 2024. “We are deeply grateful for Rae’s exceptional service and dedication to WLFC. As a valued member of the Board and Chair of the Compensation Committee, Rae’s insights, leadership, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on the Company, and she will always remain a part of the Willis family,” said Charles F. Willis.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
CONTACT:
Lynn Mailliard Kohler
Manager Corporate Communications
(415) 328-4798
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