AerSale is a global leader in the supply of aftermarket aircraft, engines, OEM material and asset management services.

Aviation & Aerospace

AerSale Inc.

Martin Garmendia has over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance.

Prior to joining AerSale®, Martin was Senior Director of Corporate Accounting for Florida Power and Light, (FPL) Inc., the regulatory utility of [NextEra Energy](/org/nextera-energy) (NYSE: NEE). He was responsible for GAAP and internal financial reporting, as well as overall accounting for the company’s hedging program. He held various roles in accounting at FPL since he joined in 2006.  Martin began his career as a Senior Auditor for Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and joined [Bacardi](/org/bacardi) in 2003 as an Accounting Manager overseeing financial responsibilities for the marketing functions and establishing the Company’s first Financial, Planning, and Analysis team. 

After obtaining undergraduate degrees in Finance and Accounting at [Florida International University](/org/florida-international-university), Martin graduated from the [University of Florida](/org/university-of-florida) where he earned a Master’s degree in Accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida.

Martin joined AerSale in 2015 as Vice President & Controller, with responsibilities for all of the Company’s accounting, reporting and tax functions. He last held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance & Corporate Controller, before being promoted in 2018 to Chief Financial Officer.

Martin Garmendia

Mr. James A. Fry has been the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of AerSale Corporation since January 24, 2022.
Prior to joining AerSale, Mr. Fry served as the Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Yellow Corporation from April 2015 to February 2020 and also served in the same capacity for Swift Transportation Company from January 2008 to April 2015.

Prior to joining Swift Transportation, and since 1996, Mr. Fry held the positions of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary as well as Corporate Counsel for both private and publicly-traded company aviation companies including Hamilton Aerospace and World Airways. Mr. Fry also worked as an attorney in private practice in Pennsylvania prior to his in-house positions.

Mr. Fry is a Schreyer Honors graduate from the Pennsylvania State University and obtained his Juris Doctor from the Temple University School of Law.

James Fry

Guillermo Garces has over 20 years of experience in information technology, IT operations, application development, business analysis, business intelligence, and process automation.
Guillermo was most recently Vice President of IT Application Development at TradeStation Technologies, where he was employed for over 18 years. Leading and directing IT operations and software application development, his expertise includes process automation, PCI and SOX compliance adherence, and complex data models architecture and development. He also served as a liaison between IT, Finance, and other critical departments.

He joined AerSale® in 2017.

Guillermo holds a degree in Computer Science from Saint-Laurent College in Montreal, Quebec.

Guillermo Garces

Iso Nezaj has more than 25 years of operations experience in aircraft maintenance and engineering administration, quality assurance, strategic planning, and product development.
Beginning his career as an Aircraft Mechanic at Fairchild Republic, Iso serviced A10 aircraft while continually broadening his technical knowledge as far as Airbus, Boeing, and Douglas commercial fleets in the ensuing years. He has held numerous mid-level and senior management positions with several prestigious US airlines, aircraft leasing, and aircraft heavy maintenance MRO organizations, including US Airways and Commercial Jet.

Iso worked on the development and certification of B737-300/400 Passenger to Freighter Conversion Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modifications to meet the current FAR Part 25 requirements by the [Federal Aviation Administration](/org/federal-aviation-administration) and the European Aviation Safety Agency.

In his added role as President of AerSale's Engineered Solutions Division, Iso manages the day-to-day oversight, development, and marketing of the company's growing family of innovative technological aircraft upgrades (e.g. STCs for AerSafe®, AerTrak®, AerVisionTM, and others to be announced).

Iso is a graduate of the College of Aeronautics, New York, and holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license.

Iso Nezaj

Bob Nichols has over 25 years of experience in aircraft engine sales, commercial aircraft leasing, and aviation MRO.
Bob began his career in 1982 at Aviall, taking on various roles in the administration of JT8D and CFM56-3 powerplant maintenance. In 1988, he joined Braniff Airways as Manager of Powerplant and Warranty Administration and was responsible for the oversight of outsourced JT8D, V2500, and Tay-650 engine maintenance. He later assumed the position of Director of Engine Maintenance Sales for Greenwich Air Services, prior to joining AeroThrust as Vice President of Engine Sales and Leasing.

In 1997, Bob cofounded AeroTurbine, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. After selling AeroTurbine in 2006, Bob and Nick Finazzo went on to found AerSale® in 2008.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration. He is also a licensed commercial pilot.

Robert Nichols

Mr. Charles McDonald was appointed the Chief Technical Officer and Divisional President of Heavy MRO Services for AerSale effective March 11, 2022.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. McDonald was employed by AerSale as the Senior Vice President of MRO Services since December 2016. Prior to joining AerSale, Mr. McDonald worked as a consultant in the aviation industry from August 2013 to December 2016.

Prior to working as a consultant, Mr. McDonald worked for Global Aviation Holdings as its Chief Executive Officer from February 2013 to August 2013 and its President from April 2008 to February 2013. Mr. McDonald also served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for World Airways from May 2004 to April 2008 and Trans Meridian Airlines from December 2001 to May 2004.

Prior to these executive positions, Mr. McDonald worked in a variety of aviation positions for over 10 years including Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering, Director of Business Development and Director of Customer and Technical Support for Trans Meridian Airlines, British Aerospace Regional Aircraft and AMR Eagle. Mr. McDonald attended the Spartan College of Aeronautics, the former Chairman of the National Air Carriers Association, an FAA Certified A/P Mechanic, and served in the United States Army.

Charles McDonald

Kevin Hill is the current VP of Powerplant Operations at AerSale Inc. Prior to this, they worked as the Engine Guy at [Spirit Airlines](/org/spirit-airlines) from October 2011 to November 2012. Before that, Kevin was with AeroTurbine as the Vice President of Operations from January 1999 to December 2009. Kevin started their aviation career at AAR Corp in January 1991 and worked their way up to Director of Technical Operations before leaving in December 1999.

Kevin Hill is currently studying aviation/airway management and operations at Southwestern Michigan College.

Kevin Hill reports to Nicolas Finazzo, Chairman & CEO. They work with Gary Jones - President, Materials Group, Charles McDonald - Senior Vice President, and Matthew White - VP, Engine Leasing & Trading.

Kevin Hill

Nicolas Finazzo has more than 30 years of experience in aircraft leasing, finance, maintenance, and airline operations.

Early in his career, Nicolas established a commercial aircraft leasing company, which eventually evolved into regional air carrier Air Florida Commuter. In 1992, he joined International Air Leases as Vice President and was promoted to Corporate General Counsel in 1994, overseeing a 200-strong commercial aircraft portfolio. He later went on to join aviation MRO services provider AeroThrust as its Vice President and General Counsel.

In 1997, he became cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of AeroTurbine, Inc., the first non-OEM-affiliated aftermarket start-up to combine aircraft and engine sales, leasing, parts sales, and aviation MRO into one integrated platform. After selling AeroTurbine in 2006, he and his business partner, Bob Nichols, went on to found AerSale® in 2008.

Nicolas holds a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar and also holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license.

Nicolas Finazzo

Vanessa Machado has over 20 years of human resources experience, directing all of the people functions for global companies.
Prior to joining AerSale® in 2014, Vanessa worked for International Vapor Group, Inc. (IVG) as Vice President-Operations. At IVG, she was responsible for the human resources function including talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, retention, and performance management. Vanessa began her career in 1992 with Coastal Systems, a global engineering/construction and shipping company, where she held various titles during her 19-year employment. Most recently serving as Vice President–Corporate, she was responsible for all employee functions including employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and risk management. She holds a Master’s of Human Resources Management and a B.S. in Management from [Florida International University](/org/florida-international-university).

Vanessa Machado

Basil Barimo has nearly 30 years of industry experience that includes airline operations, aviation MRO, and manufacturing.
Basil launched his aviation career in 1987 as an Aerospace Engineer with McDonnell Douglas. He then spent 13 years with US Airways in a range of technical leadership roles before joining AvBorne Heavy Maintenance as Vice President of Operations. In 2003, he joined the Air Transport Association of America as Vice President of Operations and Safety, where he worked with airlines and regulators to shape industry policy. He was most recently Executive Vice President, Repair Group for the NORDAM Group, the world’s largest, privately-held MRO for advanced composite structures.

He joined AerSale® as COO in 2017.

Basil holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the [Georgia Institute of Technology](/org/georgia-institute-of-technology) and has served on numerous federal aviation boards, task forces, and committees.

Basil Barimo

Ron Wolf has 30 years of aviation industry experience, holds an FAA airframe and powerplant license, and specializes in quality standards.
Ron established his aviation career in 1984, while serving in the U.S. Army as a Turbine Engine Mechanic, where he received an FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. Gaining expertise through industry leaders such as Volvo Aero Services, AeroTurbine, American Composites, and AAR, he gradually progressed from a repair station position to several management positions, while strengthening industry relationships.

Throughout his career, Ron has been involved with implementing and maintaining various quality standards, including ISO 9001:2000, AS 9120, ISO 14001, and ASA-100. As a leader who is dedicated to professional growth and networking, he joined the Quality Committee for ASA in 1997, has participated in AFRA since its inception in 2006, and held an elected position on the Board of Directors. Ron is a familiar face throughout the industry and is often called upon for quality guidance and regulation interpretation. He was also selected by the ASA to ensure and maintain impartiality by all ASACB certification activities for ISO 9001:2000.

In his role at AerSale®, Ron develops strategies within Facility Operations, Technical Records, Purchasing & Repair Management, and Quality Standards.

Ron Wolf

Gary Jones has 37 years of entrepreneurial experience in the aviation field, having purchased and dismantled over 600 aircraft.
Gary launched his aviation career in 1983 in sales and business development for The Memphis Group. For 10 years, he served as Vice President of Acquisitions, where he was responsible for sourcing and buying over 200 aircraft for dismantling. In 1999, he went on to found Qwest Air Parts, a successful parts trading and dismantling company. For 20 years, Gary led Qwest to become one of the industry’s most solid performers, achieving uninterrupted profitability and growth. During that time, Gary also formed the Performance Repair Group and Q2 Aviation, both FAA 145 repair stations.

With the Qwest acquisition, Gary joined AerSale® in June 2019. He continues his role as President and CEO of Qwest and concurrently serves as President - Materials Group for AerSale.

Gary Jones

Enrique Pizzi brings over 29 years of experience in strategic management, strategy execution, information technology, and enterprise operations.
Most recently Enrique was the Chief Technology Officer for [Ilumno](/org/ilumno) (the largest pan-regional higher education network of universities in the Latin America and Caribbean region). At [Ilumno](/org/ilumno), he led the development and implementation of solutions for the digital transformation of higher education institutions.

Previously employed for 19 years at TradeStation Technologies, a financial industry firm, Enrique he led and directed information technology, cybersecurity, software application development, and operations and infrastructure teams. His expertise includes strategic alignment, business process automation, acquisition due diligence, and enterprise risk management. At TradeStation, he served as an executive officer and a member of the Global Management Committee of the parent company, Monex Group Japan.

Enrique began his career in 1990 at IVAX corporation, where he held several technical positions that supported the multinational subsidiaries of the firm, which developed, manufactured, and sold brand-equivalent pharmaceuticals products. IVAX corporation was acquired by TEVA pharmaceuticals.

Enrique Pizzi

Damon Bowden has over 10 years of aviation industry experience that includes business planning, operations management, key customer account management, cross-divisional selling, aircraft maintenance, airworthiness, and commercial aviation.
Damon began his aviation career as Global Sales Manager for TES Aviation Limited, where he specialized in engine acquisitions, modelling, trace review, repair management, and engine piece part aftermarket sales. He most recently served as General Manager EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) for AerSale® in Cardiff, UK, where he was oversaw a team of over 10 sales professionals.

He joined AerSale® in 2010.

Damon holds a national diploma in Aerospace Engineering, a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the [University of Wales](/org/university-of-wales), a PGCE from Newport University to become a qualified lecturer in further education, and also earned a certificate in Marketing.

Damon Bowden

Craig Wright has over 20 years of experience in technical data and financial analysis, including 15 years in commercial aircraft leasing and portfolio management.
Craig began his aviation career at GATX Capital where he was involved in pricing, deal structuring, and portfolio management and trading. Following the acquisition of GATX Air by Macquarie AirFinance, his primary roles included marketing, acquisitions/dispositions, and business development.

He joined AerSale® as Senior Vice President - Leasing and Trading in 2010.

Craig is a graduate of the [University of Washington](/org/university-of-washington), where he earned a B.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering. He also holds a Master’s of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Craig Wright

Matthew White has over 10 years of experience in commercial aircraft sales and leasing and aircraft engine leasing.
Prior to joining AerSale® in June 2012, Matthew served as a Sales and Lease Placement Executive for ORIX Aviation, where he specialized in commercial aircraft sales and marketing, including legal and technical liaison for associated transactions. He earned his Master’s degree in Management and Organization Studies in 2006 and completed his Master’s thesis in renewable energy and economically viable alternative energy sources in Ireland.

AerSale Inc.

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CEO and Executive Team

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