Charles F. Willis, IV

Executive Chairman, Willis Lease

Charles F. Willis, IV is the founder of Willis Lease, has served as Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director since our incorporation in 1985, and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1996. Mr. Willis has over 40 years of experience in the aviation industry. From 1975 to 1985, Mr. Willis served as president of Willis Lease’s predecessor, Charles F. Willis Company, which purchased, financed and sold a variety of large commercial transport aircraft and provided consulting services to the aviation industry.

During 1974, Mr. Willis operated a small business not involved in the aviation industry. From 1972 through 1973, Mr. Willis was Assistant Vice President of Sales at Seaboard World Airlines, a freight carrier. From 1965 through 1972, he held various positions at Alaska Airlines, including positions in the flight operations, sales and marketing departments.

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Brian Hole

President, Willis Lease

Brian Hole joined Willis Lease in August 2014 and was promoted to President on April 1, 2016.  Prior to his appointment as President, he served as Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Officer.  Formerly, Mr. Hole was Owner and President of Aviation Opportunity Management LLC, where he advised bank, private equity and alternative investment funds regarding investment in large commercial aircraft engines.  Prior to starting his own business, Mr. Hole served as Assistant Counsel at Pratt & Whitney where he worked with the Commercial Engines Group in assisting with the next generation product family of engines, and specifically, on the partnership for the PW1100G engine on the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft.  He has also worked at IAE as Counsel, structuring and negotiating engine sales and aftermarket programs, as well as spare engine and aircraft financings.   

Mr. Hole earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a law degree, with high honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

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Dean Poulakidas

Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Willis Lease

Dean Poulakidas joined Willis Lease in September 2011 and currently serves as our Senior Vice President & General Counsel.  Prior to his appointment as General Counsel, he served as Senior Counsel until March 31, 2013.  Formerly, Mr. Poulakidas was Vice President and Corporate Counsel with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), where he managed a wide variety of aviation transactions working with airlines, OEMs, purchasers, financiers, service providers and aviation authorities in many jurisdictions around the world.  Prior to ILFC, he was a Senior Associate with the Corporate, Securities and Financial Institutions Practice Group of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro where his transactional experience included Latin American, European and Asian joint ventures, as well as international and domestic mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Poulakidas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, his masters from Columbia University and his law degree from the University of California's Hastings College of Law.

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