Griffin Global Asset Management (Griffin), which sealed a long-term strategic partnership with Bain Capital Credit to create an aviation leasing and asset management platform in January 2020, has made a number of appointments to its senior management team. Marc Baer has joined as President, John Beekman has joined as Chief Financial Officer, and Jared Diamond has joined as Vice President.
“We are building a first-class aircraft leasing platform and that starts with exceptional individuals to lead our growing team,” said Ryan McKenna, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin. “Marc Baer has distinguished himself throughout his career as an innovator and prominent voice in the aviation industry. Marc is a proven leader with deep relationships across the sector and is the ideal person to be the President of Griffin. John Beekman has built a sterling reputation as one of the most thoughtful investors in aviation securities over many years and is the perfect individual to lead our finance organization. Jared Diamond’s experience in structuring complex transactions is a major asset for Griffin and he will assume broad responsibilities as we grow the business.”
“We are excited about each of the new Griffin team members and the deep expertise and aviation industry knowledge they bring to the company,” said Jeff Robinson, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Credit. “We look forward to continuing to support Ryan and his growing team of industry leaders as they build Griffin into a world-class and differentiated aircraft leasing platform.”
Marc Baer will serve as President of Griffin and will lead the organization across commercial and operational affairs. Previously, Baer was Executive Vice President Marketing at Air Lease Corporation since 2010 where his responsibilities included developing and overseeing airline relationships, concluding lease, sale and purchase agreements, and leading aircraft trading efforts. Baer also served on the Boards of Blackbird Capital I and Blackbird Capital II, private equity platforms created to provide Air Lease Corporation with blind pools of capital for co-investment. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President Marketing at International Lease Finance Corporation where he began working in 1997. Baer is fluent in French and holds dual U.S-French citizenship. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, and is an FAA-licensed pilot.
John Beekman will serve as Chief Financial Officer of Griffin. Beekman and brings 17 years of financial services investing experience, including 13 years of aviation financing experience at Fidelity Management and Research Company. He was responsible for analyzing and recommending debt instruments in the aerospace/defense, airline, aircraft leasing, and aviation asset backed securities sectors. In this role Beekman worked closely with banks, issuers (airlines, lessors), and rating agencies in finding debt financing solutions. Mr. Beekman earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Arizona, and his MBA from the Yale School of Management. Beekman is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a former member of the ISTAT Appraisers Program Board of Governors (IBG).
Jared Diamond will serve as Vice President of Griffin. Prior to joining Griffin, Diamond built a career in asset backed investment banking with roles at Bank of America, Mizuho Securities and BNP Paribas, where Diamond was responsible for the origination and execution of non-traditional debt and equity solutions and bilateral and syndicated lending through non-recourse debt facilities for corporate clients. Diamond has concentrated significantly in aviation since entering the business in 2013, where he has participated in a variety of portfolio sales, ABS bond financings, bridge and term loans, and M&A transactions. Diamond earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Syracuse University.
Under the partnership, funds and other investment vehicles managed by Bain Capital Credit and its affiliates will provide capital to acquire and lease aviation assets while Griffin and its affiliates will provide all lease management services for the platform.