Institutional investment management firm, Davidson Kempner Capital Management (Davidson Kempner), has formally launched new financing platform Ashland Place Finance (Ashland Place). Under the experienced and steady hand of veteran aircraft leasing and banking executive Jennifer Villa Tennity, Ashland Place will offer innovative capital solutions to the global commercial aerospace industry.
Ashland Place will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Davidson Kempner formed to provide sourcing and loan arrangements in the aviation space. Davidson Kempner has significant experience in commercial aviation industry investments and its new platform expands the firm’s capabilities in the sector.
“I am thrilled to join Ashland Place during an expansive period of recovery for the commercial aviation industry,” said Villa Tennity. “Ashland Place, with the support of Davidson Kempner, will be an important capital solution provider to airlines and aircraft investors alike.”
Villa Tennity most recently served as president of CIT’s Aviation Lending business, providing aircraft-backed loans to the commercial aviation industry. Prior to serving as president of CIT’s Aviation Lending business, she served as the chief risk officer of its $22 billion commercial aerospace division until the business was sold to Avolon.
For Villa Tennity, this period is the perfect time to support the aviation industry and its continued resiliency through the COVID crisis. “We see ample opportunity for continued growth and a favorable long-term market opportunity in aviation,” she says. “The launch of a dedicated aviation platform expands Davidson Kempner’s demonstrated expertise in the space. I am delighted to be partnered with them to deliver tailored solutions to airlines, lessors and private equity platforms.”