Crane Aircraft Partners, a new aviation focused investment firm, has hired Gail Niemi, who joins the firm as Vice President and Alex Bonda who joins as an Analyst. Niemi and Bonda will be part of the Aircraft Leasing Team.
In announcing the new hires, Rob Crane, managing partner of Crane Aircraft said “With these first two hires we are positioning ourselves for anticipated market activity. Gail Niemi is an experienced aviation professional, and brings a wealth of aviation experience and knowledge to our new firm. She’ll be assisting us in sourcing, acquiring, and managing aircraft as well as remarketing activities. We’re excited to have her as part of the team.” Naimi joins the firm after a career as a financing specialist including roles as an aircraft finance consultant to a New York-based hedge fund and corporate roles with DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, DVB Bank and Rolls-Royce North America.
Added Gary Weisman, “Alex Bonda will be primarily responsible for assisting us in research and analysis of potential aircraft acquisitions. He brings energy and enthusiasm to his job and we feel he’ll be a tremendous asset over time.” Bonda is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan.
Crane Aircraft Partners is led by Robert Crane, who has more than 25 years of experience in commercial aircraft leasing and trading, Gary Ran, who is the Chairman and Founder of one of the nation’s leading independent investment firms, Telemus Capital Partners, LLC and Gary Weisman, the owner of General Worldwide Aviation, LLC and a leading commercial real estate developer.
The three have previously invested together in a number of aviation transactions. The firm will use its experience and extensive relationships to raise equity and debt capital from retail and institutional investors.
Crane Aircraft Partners is currently fundraising for the new firm’s first debt fund and expects to begin fundraising on its first equity fund within the next month.