Aeroplex/Aerolease Group announce leadership change amidst legal dispute

The Majority-in-Interest owners of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group have announced that they have voted to remove Curt Castagna as CEO/Managing Member and have begun a search for a new executive to lead the Aerolease companies. Aerolease Companies, who have ""owned, operated, leased, and managed hangar facilities and other property at the Van Nuys and Long Beach airports in Los Angeles County for almost 50 years"" according to their website, have selected Barry Rondinella to serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found. A statement from Aerolease reads; “The Aerolease Companies had hoped for a peaceful separation and told Mr. Castagna they would work on mutually beneficial terms. That has not occurred. “As a result, on May 17, 2024, the Aerolease Companies filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County against Mr. Castagna alleging claims for Conversion, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Unfair Competition and Violation of the Comprehensive Computer Data and Access Fraud Act. “The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Castagna formed a competing entity called Aeroplex Group Partners LLC (AGP), a consulting company that also manages airport hangars throughout Southern California, and used the Aerolease Companies' resources and employees to fund this venture and siphon business away from the Aerolease Companies. “The lawsuit also alleges that following his termination Mr. Castagna took steps to interfere with the Aerolease Companies' operations by refusing to provide needed access to the companies' IT systems, removing backup computer server hard drives, locking the owners of the Aerolease Companies out of their offices, instructing employees to go home, refusing to provide key cards, and misappropriating company equipment including his company-provided car, computer, and mobile phone”. ""The Aerolease companies' owners had hoped for a peaceful transition, but instead Mr. Castagna left the members with no option but to pursue litigation,"" said Stuart Pfeifer, spokesman for the Aerolease Companies. ""Aerolease is extremely confident in its interim leadership and Aerolease tenants should expect the same exceptional service that this family-owned business has provided for generations.""