Christian Nuehlen is the founder and CEO of Aircraft Finance Germany GmbH. He can draw on his experience in the commercial aviation industry spanning close to two decades in various roles.

Since 2007, Mr. Nuehlen has been assisting leading aircraft lessors, airlines, banks and consulting firms with matters related to aircraft leasing, financing and transactions through his consulting firm Blueberry Xpress Deutschland. In 2011, Blueberry opened a second office in Singapore. Before founding Blueberry Xpress, he was a member of the management board and general counsel of XL Airways Germany, part of the XL Airways Group headquartered in London. He began his career in the aviation industry in the legal department of Aero Lloyd German Airlines.

Mr. Nuehlen holds a law degree from the University of Münster, Germany and a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at Providence College, USA.

Christian Hatje is the Managing Director Business Aviation and acts as Senior Vice President Commercial at AFG. Christian can draw on over 28 years of commercial and business aviation experience.

Christian began his career at Airbus covering engineering and asset management. In his role with Lufthansa Consulting, Christian managed a diversified portfolio of customers ranging from commercial operators to leading corporate clients before taking over responsibilities at Lufthansa Technik serving financiers and leasing companies. Christian was the founder and head of Amentum Capital, an aircraft leasing company based in Ireland, managing an aircraft portfolio of more than $2.2 billion.

Christian served at the helm of Business Aviation of Privat Air and became Chairman and President of the first ever alliance between business jet operators worldwide. Before joining AFG, he was CEO of Sparfell & Partners in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr. Meagher has over 35 years of experience in the aviation Industry and has held key senior managerial positions worldwide with Air France, The Memphis Group (GECAS), AJW Walter Aviation and HAITEC. Throughout his career he has been actively involved in developing global markets by employing innovative strategies, driving business development and winning new business. He has always played a pivotal role in creating brand awareness and corporate identity for the companies he has represented.

In September 2017, Mr. Meagher was appointed Managing Director, AFG Ireland. His role is to strengthen AFG’s corporate presence in Ireland, by transacting business with aircraft leasing companies, OEMS, banking institutions and all other Irish based aviation entities.

Dr. Andriof has more than 22 years of industry and leadership experience. Prior to joining Aircraft Finance Germany in 2023, he held senior leadership positions at Titan Aviation Leasing, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Joerg Andriof was leading the day-to-day management and ongoing development of Titan Singapore’s activities including customer targeting, customer acquisition, aircraft acquisition and placement, financial planning and reporting, and operations and strategic development. Earlier, he held senior level positions at DHL Express, Lufthansa and KPMG.

Dr. Andriof has a Diploma in Business and Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Business Studies from Warwick Business School, UK.

Spencer Thwaytes joined AFG as the Chief Revenue Officer and Head of North America. Drawing upon his extensive education, knowledge, and experience in the finance sector and the commercial aviation industry, he efficiently develops, analyzes, and executes transactions on behalf of our valued clients.

Upon graduating from the University of Florida, Mr. Thwaytes embarked on his professional journey in public accounting with Ernst & Young LLP, contributing to their financial services advisory group in New York City. He subsequently transitioned into corporate banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he notably spearheaded business development initiatives. In 2012, Mr. Thwaytes earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and soon after left banking to become the Treasurer at Frontier Airlines, overseeing the treasury, fleet, strategic sourcing/procurement, and tax departments. His exceptional expertise led him to be chosen by Indigo Partners to establish and manage a collaborative purchasing organization among the group’s six airlines. Throughout his tenure at Frontier, Spencer managed the acquisition of more than 700 aircraft and over 1,400 engines, collectively valued at exceeding $50 billion. His responsibilities also encompassed the financing of more than 250 aircraft.

Mr. Thwaytes holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, USA. Currently, he resides in Genoa, Italy, with his wife and three children.

Shiekuma Gemade joined AFG as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He brings with him more than two decades of aviation, MRO and airline leadership. He has led aircraft acquisitions, fleet strategies, and leasing transactions exceeding $12 billion for some of the industry’s most dynamic organizations.

Prior to joining AFG, Shiekuma was Head of Fleet at Riyadh Air, with responsibilities for Aircraft Acquisitions, Fleet Planning, and building one of the industry’s most ambitious new Aircraft Programs.

Previously, he held leadership roles at Atlas Air Worldwide and Titan Aviation Leasing, where he managed a significant lease portfolio of widebody freighters, built the lease management platform, and managed complex cross-border transactions spanning the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Earlier in his career at Delta Air Lines, he advanced from engineering at Delta Technical Operations into operations leadership, optimizing performance for a 450-aircraft DC fleet.

Shiekuma holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Science in Aviation Management, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Florida. Shiekuma is also an FAA licensed Private Pilot.

As the Managing Director of AFG Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ibrahim Bushnag brings over 35 years of experience in the aviation industry to AFG, combining senior executive leadership positions with board-level involvement in both domestic and international companies.

He previously served as Vice President of Technical Services at Saudi Arabian Airlines, holding various senior roles between 1990 and 2013. He also played a key role at Alsalam Aircraft MRO Co., a joint venture between Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines, and served on the boards of several international companies owned by Boeing and British Aerospace.

In 2017, Mr. Bushnag founded Al Riyada Engineering Consultant Company in Jeddah, providing aviation consultancy services to clients worldwide. Notably, his firm supported AFG with successful advisory services in 2021 and 2022.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

René Kauert joined AFG as Chief Technical Officer.

During the last 27 years René accumulated a wide range of technical expertise in commercial and business aviation around the globe.

Starting as a licensed engineer and after serving as maintenance control officer for entities like DHL and Qatar Airways, René took on responsibilities in aircraft asset management and technical representation.

Before joining AFG, René supported various lessors and airlines in managing all technical aspects of their aircraft transitions through his own consulting company set up in 2019.

Paul Eastwood joins AFG as Managing Director, Americas.

He brings over 40 years of aviation experience spanning aircraft manufacturing, line and base maintenance, powerplant management, engine leasing, technical asset management, and aircraft transitions. An EASA Part-66 B1 Licensed Engineer, Paul combines strong technical expertise with extensive commercial and operational leadership.

Paul previously held senior powerplant roles at First Choice Airways and Jet2.com. Since 2012, he has led independent technical advisory services, supporting major airlines, lessors, and MRO organizations worldwide.

Martin Walter is the Chief Counsel / Head of Legal of Aircraft Finance Germany GmbH. He advises AFG and its affiliated companies on all legal and regulatory matters.

Before joining AFG, Martin was part of the corporate legal department at Air Berlin from 2012 until July 2017. In his role as Senior Legal Counsel, he was responsible as a business partner for aircraft leasing and financing as well as other aircraft transactions. He also oversaw the airline’s corporate matters (including the legal management of its various subsidiaries worldwide) and was involved in numerous corporate restructuring measures.

Richard Cepanauskas is Legal Counsel at AFG Aviation Ireland Limited based in Dublin. Working with AFG‘s Head of Legal, he advises the AFG group of companies on legal and transactional matters.

Before joining AFG, Richard worked at a major Irish law firm, focusing on a wide range of asset finance transactions, particularly export credit financings and security arrangements. He previously led a documentation team at Citibank Europe and has also gained significant experience on the construction and projects legal team at an international law firm in Dublin, specializing in financings and residential developments.

Former Airbus Executive Fouad Attar boasts a distinguished career in the aviation industry, marked by a wealth of experience and strategic contributions during the last 40 years.

Mr. Attar served as Head of Engineering at Royal Air Maroc, the flag carrier of Morocco, holding various senior management positions between 1988 and 2001.

He held key positions at Air France Industries culminating in the role of Worldwide VP of Marketing and Sales.

Fouad’s tenure at Airbus was marked by extraordinary achievements, managing the sale of around 2000 airplanes, translating to an impressive 500 billion dollars. His visionary leadership earned him a place among the company’s Top executives.

Prior to joining Airbus as VP Commercial Middle East, Fouad served as SVP Commercial and Business Development of EADS Sogerma. This diverse experience prepared him well for the position of Managing Director of Airbus Middle East.

Based in Dubai, Fouad oversaw all commercial activities for Airbus in the Middle East and Northern Africa for almost 15 years, commanding sales, marketing, business transaction control, and customer relations across 35 countries.

In June 2020, Fouad took a new step in his career by retiring from Airbus and launching Mermoz Aviation Consulting and Services, a consulting company based in Dubai. In March 2024, Fouad joined the AFG (Aircraft Finance Germany) team as Senior Adviser to the Board.

Fouad, holds a Master of Sciences in Aeronautical Engineering from Sup’aero, a Robotics Masters from Toulouse University and a Business & Management degree from IAE Toulouse.

Ulf Gedamke started his aviation career at the airberlin group in 2009, where he was responsible as SVP for the entire asset & finance management of the airberlin group, including all financing and fleet matters as well as treasury and fuel management.

He has successfully managed several restructuring programs including a fleet rollover to an all Airbus fleet.

Seiji Yokoyama joined AFG as Senior Vice President, Commercial, and Head of Japan, based in Tokyo, Japan. He has over 35 years of experience in various management and sales & marketing roles within the commercial aviation industry.

Before joining AFG, Seiji worked at Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Lease Co., Ltd. from 2022 to 2024 as Managing Director, where he was responsible for selling commercial aircraft with attached leases (provided by SMBC Aviation Capital) to Japanese investors and providing subsequent asset management services. From 2009 to 2022, Seiji served at MCAP/AMCK, where he was responsible for sales, sale and leaseback (SLB) transactions, remarketing, and capital markets on a global scale, ultimately holding the position of Chief Commercial Officer during his time at MCAP.

Prior to MCAP, he was with Sumitomo Corporation from 2005 to 2008, leading the marketing team and covering the Asia and Americas regions.

Seiji began his commercial aircraft leasing career with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in 1989, where he remained until 2005. During this period, he was seconded to Tombo Aviation Inc. in California, USA, and Tombo Aviation Netherlands B.V. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, covering the Americas, Asia, and Europe in sales, SLB, remarketing roles, and asset management.

He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Waseda University and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Seiji is married and resides in Tokyo, Japan.

Mauricio Guevara is an Aviation professional with over 25 years in the industry and with a wide variety of experience ranging from aircraft manufacturing, to MRO services and aircraft leasing and management.

Throughout his career with Airbus, Lufthansa Technik, Amentum Capital (today FPG Amentum) and Avinco (today Blueberry Aviation), Mr. Guevara has held senior managerial positions and has been involved in aircraft selection, business development and sales activities of aircraft and services around the globe.

Miss Kira Chong has more than 20 years of experience in various management and sales & marketing roles in business and commercial aviation. Before joining Aircraft Finance Germany, Kira worked For The Boeing Company and Bombardier in sales and marketing positions. She was also responsible for the marketing efforts in Asia Pacific for Titan Aviation Leasing, a cargo aircraft lessor. Kira holds degrees in Accounting and Finance and in Business Administration. She obtained her Masters Degree from Macquarie Graduate School of Management in 2005. Kira is based in Singapore.

Mr. Khot joined AFG from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company, where he spent twenty-four years, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President – Marketing. In this role, he led the airline marketing team, establishing relationships with airlines worldwide. Under his leadership, the team built a diverse customer base by leasing the company’s ordered A320neo, B737-800/MAX, and A350-900XWB aircraft, as well as placing off-lease assets with airlines. Mr. Khot also structured sale and leaseback transactions and facilitated aircraft trades with investors and airline customers.

Before joining ALAFCO, Mr. Khot worked at General Electric Capital in the USA, where he held various positions in risk management. He began his career at Fidelity Financial Services, a subsidiary of the Bank of Boston, as a manager responsible for originating subprime real estate and automobile loan portfolios.

He holds a BBA from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.

Peter Walker joins Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG) as Senior Vice President for Australasia and Southern Africa, bringing over 26 years of experience in the aviation industry to AFG.

With a business background in Logistics and Transport, Peter has maintained a lifelong passion for aviation. In the early 2000s, he transitioned into the aviation sector by managing an air charter business in West Africa. He is also a qualified Airline Transport Pilot holding multiple aircraft ratings.

Peter’s extensive management and aviation expertise have led to numerous senior sales and leadership positions with companies including Hawker Beechcraft, Nextant Aerospace, Embraer, and Viking Air.

Throughout his career, Peter has lived and worked across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, gaining valuable international experience and a strong global industry network.

Peter Koster is the Head of Freighter Lease and Trading at AFG, he joined the company in September 2019.

Previously, Peter played leading roles in various Passenger to Freighter (P2F) conversion programs. Peter Koster looks back at an extensive career in air cargo operations including key positions with Cargolux Airlines, China Airlines Cargo, Martinair and West Atlantic, where he held the position of Managing Director and Accountable Manager of the Luxembourg AOC.

Alan Phelan joined AFG as Head of Engine Trading and advises the Technical and Commercial teams on engine purchases, exchanges and engine MRO requirements. Alan is the founder of APTN.aero, the first professional body for aircraft technical professionals.

He was formerly Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at HaoTong AeroTech in charge of their technical and sales operation in Dublin. Alan has over 30 years’ experience in various senior sales, customer support, marketing and aircraft engine leasing roles, most recently with Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg and Dublin and previously with Airmotive Ireland, a jet engine overhaul facility located in Dublin. Alan has an in-depth knowledge of the aircraft leasing business and holds the Irish Law Society’s Diploma in Aircraft Leasing and Finance and a MBA in Aviation from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Mr. Thai Pham spent more than eleven years of his career with aircraft maintenance and repair organizations (MRO).

Before joining AFG, he was General Manager Sales for the MRO of Vietnam Airlines in Hanoi. He specializes in marketing and actively maintains and develops customer relationships for and on behalf of AFG in South East Asia.

Jalal Diab joined AFG in February 2020 as a sales representative covering the Middle East and Africa. Jalal manages AFG’s new office located within the Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Jalal started his professional carrier in 1995 as an aircraft mechanic with Royal Jordanian Airlines in Amman, Jordan. He held various positions at the national flag carrier of Jordan including roles as team leader and aircraft maintenance inspector supervising a group of technicians.

Nick Potapov is the Managing Director Asia & CIS at AFG.

Nick began his career at Transaero Airlines, where he held multiple senior positions including Head of Fleet Development and Chief Financial Officer. At various stages during his more than 11-year stint at the airline Mr. Potapov was responsible for all financial and fleet matters of the company. From early 2016 until mid-2020, Nick was Head of Aviation at VEB Leasing and VEB Bank, where he successfully managed an extensive restructuring, transformation and development program of a multibillion-dollar aviation portfolio.

José Zaidan Maluf joined AFG in January 2018 as Director Sales & Marketing Latin America.

Jose started his career in the Airline Industry in 1995 joining TAM, a Regional Airline in Brazil. After the merger between TAM and LAN in 2012, Jose was promoted to VP of Fleet and Engines – managing the joint fleet of the new company of more than 300 aircraft. In this role, he had to renegotiate all contracts of the two companies, merging them and striving to secure the best of both worlds.

Palli Borg is the Director of Business Development at AFG and has over 20 years of aviation experience.

As a co-founder and Commercial Director of JetX (later Primera Air), Commercial Director of Astraeus and Fleet Manager of Iceland Express, Palli has gained an in-depth experience in aviation, including business plans, project management, regulatory compliance, procurement and the daily running of an airline.

Mehmet Can joined AFG as Manager of Aircraft Sales and Marketing based in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mehmet started his career by forming his own software company while studying computer engineering. While attending law school, Mehmet also worked in his family’s real estate business. Mehmet is also involved in numerous e-commerce businesses. In 2009, Mehmet started Can Aviation and has worked ever since as a freelance aviation broker until joining AFG.

Mr. Tohru Saito spent more than 30 years working for Japan Airlines in various executive roles and across different departments. His roles included maintenance, aircraft and engine selection, design and engineering, group fleet planning, aircraft specifications and major modification such as passenger to freighter conversions. He then lead the engine maintenance center as general manager. He also worked for GE aircraft engines as a seconded employee at the combustion center of excellence in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He later became the MD of the Association of Air Transport Engineering and adopted Aerospace regulations for MROs, flight operations and cabin safety from FAA and EASA. He also worked closely with IATA and ICAO. He holds a master of science in metallographic engineering from Osaka University. He lives in Tokyo with his family and enjoys spending time playing golf and traveling.

Mr. Fei Chen joins Aircraft Finance Germany after an accomplished career spanning over two decades in the aviation industry. He brings to AFG his vast experience in airline operations and aircraft leasing.

Mr. Chen started his aviation career in 2002 with Hainan Airlines and worked in leading roles for the airline in aircraft acquisitions and leasing. In 2009, he joined the Aviation Leasing Division of Minsheng Financial Leasing. At Minsheng he served successively as corporate jet sales manager, the head of Corporate Jet Acquisitions and Operations, and as Vice President of the division. Before joining AFG, Mr. Chen spent nearly eight years in the commercial aviation leasing division of Minsheng Financial Leasing in the role of Deputy CEO.

Grace Wang brings over 20 years of diverse experience in the aviation sector, with a background spanning technical operations, insurance and risk management, and aircraft leasing. She began her career as an Aero-Engine Engineer at Ameco-Beijing before moving into management roles at the Aviation Insurance Bureau of the CAAC (AUIB), where she led insurance and risk management programs for all Chinese airlines.

Prior to joining AFG, Grace served as SVP/VP Commercial at Tibet and Minsheng Financial Leasing, where she spearheaded business development across the APAC region.

She holds an MBA from Université Paris-Sorbonne and is based in Beijing.

Prashantt Singh joins AFG bringing with him more than ten years of aviation expertise.  His core competencies are in the fields of aircraft trading, re-marketing, and leasing. He first embarked on his career journey at Mumbai’s SCC&B Lintas advertising agency. Subsequently, he relocated to Dubai in 2006 where he took charge of managing corporate travel groups, including aircraft charters.

In 2012, Prashantt founded Romans Aviation, where his primary focus was on aircraft sales, negotiating aircraft transactions for various airlines. Alongside these responsibilities, he also supervised private jet charter sales. His educational background includes a Mass Media degree from the University of Mumbai and a Professional Diploma in Aviation Leasing & Finance from City Colleges, Dublin.

Prashantt is proficient in both the Hindi and English languages.

Eddie Kim joined AFG as Sales Executive with over 15 years of experience in the aviation industry. He began his career as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic in the United States. In 2011, he returned to Korea, where he worked as a maintenance engineer at Eastar Jet, focusing on aircraft heavy maintenance and delivery. In 2013, he transitioned to the role of Fleet Transaction Manager at Eastar Jet, overseeing aircraft purchasing and leasing. In 2020, Eddie left the airline to establish his own company, offering support to Korean investors and lessors by inspecting aircraft and engines and providing advisory services. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics from Ajou University, Korea. Eddie is married, has a daughter, and resides in Seoul, Korea.

Peter Siegl brings over 30 years of experience in aircraft line and base maintenance and holds EASA Part-66 CAT B1.1 and CAT C licenses. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive technical expertise across a wide range of aircraft types and international projects.

As a Team Leader and Deputy, Peter has been instrumental in establishing and developing Part-145 maintenance organizations for various airline customers, including the training and mentoring of engineering teams. He has also provided on-site support as a CAMO engineer and technical advisor, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.

Peter spent more than 27 years with Lufthansa Technik AG before joining AFG as a Technical Representative.