Griffin is led by a seasoned and innovative team of aviation professionals

Ryan McKenna is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin. Mr. McKenna previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning at Air Lease Corporation. Mr. McKenna received a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, a Master of Business Administration from London Business School, and is an FAA rated pilot.

Marc Baer joined Griffin as President in 2020. Previously, Mr. Baer was Executive Vice President Marketing at Air Lease Corporation where his many responsibilities included developing and overseeing airline relationships, concluding lease, sale and purchase agreements, and leading aircraft trading efforts. Prior to that, he served in the role of Senior Vice President Marketing at International Lease Finance Corporation where he began working in 1997. Mr. Baer is fluent in French and holds dual U.S. & French citizenship. He received his A.B. from Stanford University, and is an FAA licensed pilot.

John Beekman is the Chief Financial Officer for Griffin. Mr. Beekman joined Griffin in 2020 from Fidelity Management & Research Company where he was a Research Analyst responsible for analyzing and recommending debt instruments in the aerospace/defense, airline, aircraft leasing, and aviation asset backed securities sectors. 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. Mr. Beekman is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a former member of the ISTAT Appraisers Program Board of Governors (IBG).

Eric Hild joined Griffin as Senior Vice President Marketing in 2021 bringing a diverse background with over 30 years of commercial aviation experience with The Boeing Company.  Mr. Hild served in various Sales and Marketing executive positions for European, Latin American and Global Leasing customers with responsibility to manage Boeing business relationships, the sale of all commercial airplanes and related services.  Additionally, Mr. Hild was the executive Customer Leader for the 787 program for four years and with responsibility for successfully developing sales and marketing strategies for the existing and future customers of the 787 Dreamliner family of aircraft.  Mr. Hild is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Business Administration and received an Executive MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business.

Peter Bennett joined Griffin in 2021 as Senior Vice President Marketing after a 39-year career at Airbus, following on from 4 years at British Aerospace - Hatfield. Mr. Bennett enjoyed a diverse career spanning four continents with commercial roles in airline analysis, product marketing, sales, and asset management. He has over the last 15 years headed the Airbus business unit in Western and Southern Europe, covering all Airbus programs from the A300 through to the A380, and more recently the A220. Raised in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Mr. Bennett has an Aeronautical Engineering degree (Hons) from the City University, London, and completed the International Executive Programme at INSEAD. Residing in Toulouse, France, Mr. Bennett is fluent in French, and holds dual British and French citizenship.

Carolanne Cunningham is the General Counsel for Griffin.  Ms. Cunningham joined Griffin in 2021 from Bank of America, N.A, where she was Head of Legal for the Global Leasing EMEA business advising on financing solutions for the cross-border aviation, shipping, rail, and other moveable-asset sectors. Prior to that, Ms. Cunningham served as a Senior Vice-President and Executive at GE Capital Aviation Services having spent several years in private practice including as a partner with an international law firm in London specializing in asset and project finance.  Ms. Cunningham is a dual-qualified lawyer in Ireland and in England and Wales, and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with an MA (Hons.) in Legal Science.

Chris Davey worked for Griffin as a Consultant in 2020 and then joined as SVP Head of Technical in early 2021. Prior to joining Griffin Mr. Davey worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways in a variety of roles in Engineering including Hangar Manager, Commercial Manager, Planning Manager and the Head of Aircraft Asset Management for the last seven years responsible for new Aircraft acquisition and lease negotiation, end of lease returns and aircraft sales. Mr. Davey holds an EASA Engineering License with multiple Aircraft Types in categories A, B and C and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies.

Jose Kling joined Griffin as Senior Vice President, Marketing in 2023. Jose has over 30 years of experience in the commercial aircraft and engine industries. Prior to joining Griffin, Jose held various leadership positions at GE Aerospace including General Manager of Lessor Operations, Head of Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Managing Director of Customer Financing. Prior to GE Aerospace, Jose held senior positions at GE Capital including Senior Vice President of Corporate Lending at GE Commercial Finance and Vice President of Marketing at GECAS. Prior to joining GE, Jose held commercial positions at Airbus in North America and British Aerospace in Latin America.

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Patricia Lynch joined Griffin as Vice President in 2020.  Ms. Lynch worked with AWAS/DAE from 2014 and was Head of Contracts Management. Prior to that she was an executive with GECAS where she held many responsibilities in Operations.  Ms. Lynch has deep experience in Contracts Management, Aircraft Deliveries, ABS Management, Business Re-engineering, and Customer Relations.  Ms. Lynch earned her Bachelor of Business Studies at University College Dublin, an advanced Diploma in Project Management from The Dublin Business School and is a certified 6 Sigma/Lean Quality Leader.

Eimear Konkoly joined Griffin as Vice President in 2021. Ms. Konkoly has over ten years’ experience in aviation and private equity. She joins Griffin from AerCap where she was Vice President of Portfolio Management and Trading with responsibilities in pricing and aircraft trading activities. Ms. Konkoly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance from University College Dublin and her Master of Science degree in Finance and Capital Markets from Dublin City University. Ms. Konkoly is a CFA Charterholder.

Toby MacCary joined Griffin in 2024 as Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel. Prior to joining Griffin, Mr. MacCary was Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel at Air Lease Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. MacCary was Vice President and Corporate Counsel at International Lease Finance Corporation, an attorney at an international aviation law firm, and an analyst at Pan Am. He received an A.B. from Stanford University and a J.D. from UCLA and is an FAA licensed pilot.

Bill O’Brien joined in 2021 as Financial Controller with 18 years’ experience in the leasing and treasury sectors.  Prior to joining Griffin, Bill worked as FC with LeasePlan in their treasury team looking after the accounting and reporting functions.  Bill has worked in a number of roles in the treasury and FS areas, bringing with him an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the reporting process. Bill is a qualified Chartered accountant (FCA), with a diploma in IFRS from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.  

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James Moriarty joined Griffin as Head of Investor Relations in 2023. James joined from Avolon where he was Vice President, Investor Relations with responsibilities for fundraising and capital management. Prior to that, James worked in the bond and loan syndicate teams at Barclays Investment Bank and AIB. James earned his BA International in Economics from University College Dublin and his MSc from Cass Business School, London. James is a CFA Charterholder.

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Nuala McMahon joined Griffin as Vice President in 2023. Prior to joining Griffin, Ms. McMahon spent over ten years in investment banking where she held roles across equity trading and research. Nuala joins from Goodbody Stockbrokers where she was Head of Aviation and Travel research. Ms. McMahon earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Maths and Economics from University College Cork, her Master of Science degree in Finance and Capital Markets from Dublin City University and her MBA from Trinity College Dublin.

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Peter joined Griffin in 2023 as Tax Director. Peter previously served as Head of Tax for the Aviation Finance group within Castlelake, where he was responsible for all tax structuring and compliance obligations of the Aviation Finance business. Prior to that, Peter worked in PwC Ireland for 11 years, predominantly within the Aviation Finance Tax group. Peter is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Consultant. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters degree in Physiotherapy from University College Dublin.

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Preston Sutter joined Griffin as Treasurer in 2024. Prior to joining Griffin, Preston spent ten years working at Willis Lease in a variety of finance roles including, most recently, Vice President, Corporate Treasurer with responsibilities overseeing debt issuance, financial planning, cash management and risk management. Prior to that, Preston worked at KPMG U.S. primarily covering leasing companies.  Preston earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  Preston is a licensed CPA (inactive).

Carlo Gottschalk serves as Griffin’s Vice President of Strategic Planning and works closely with the firm’s senior leadership team to evaluate investment opportunities and strategic initiatives. Before joining Griffin in 2024, he was a Vice President on the investment team at Indigo Partners, the aviation-focused private equity firm managed by Bill Franke. Prior to joining Indigo, Mr. Gottschalk began his career in the Executive Office at Lufthansa Group, assisting the board on strategic and operating projects. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Georg-August-University, Göttingen, and is an EASA-rated pilot.

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