Aircraft engine lessor Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) has appointed Pascal Picano as senior vice president of aircraft leasing & trading, effective immediately (September 30).
Picano will report directly to WLFC CEO Austin Willis, and will work closely with the company's SVP, head of trading and investments, Marc Pierpoint.
In his newly created role, Pascal will be building upon the company's aviation leasing platform by strategically growing its aircraft portfolio. He will also support the company's commitments to investing in next-generation assets.
Pierpoint will continue to focus on the growth of the engine portfolio.
“[Pascal] will be an invaluable addition, bringing deep expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a proven track record to our organisation,” said CEO Willis.
Pascal brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, specialising in aircraft acquisition, leasing, and capital raising.
He most recently served as a member of the board of directors at Avia Solutions Group, and previously held senior leadership roles at Carlyle Aviation Partners (formerly Apollo Aviation Group).
Throughout his career, Pascal has structured complex transactions, raised equity and debt for aircraft deals, and built and led high-performing teams across the aviation finance sector.