Aquila Air Capital Names Gary Lew Chief Financial Officer

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aquila Air Capital (“Aquila”), a leading engine lessor backed by funds managed by New York-based global alternative asset manager Wafra, announced the appointment of Gary Lew as Chief Financial Officer.

Bringing over twenty-five years of industry experience focused on investment strategy, capital markets, corporate finance, and asset management to his new role, Lew will lead the establishment of Aquila’s financial organization and oversee all aspects of the company’s corporate development, partnerships, strategic financing initiatives, and capital markets activity.

“With his proven expertise in finance and capital markets, coupled with an extensive industry background, Gary will significantly enhance our leadership team. This positions Aquila to lead confidently through our next chapter as a trusted and strategic provider of thrust for the industry,” says Al Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Aquila Air Capital.

Lew joins Aquila after founding Capitola Partners, which executed major multi-year engagements with a global lessor, an asset trading and management company, two major U.S.-based family offices, and an Ireland-based corporate services provider. Lew brings decades of experience, perspective, and deep industry relationships solidified at Capitola Partners and Vx Capital Partners as an investor, lessor, asset manager, and strategic advisor. Lew also serves as an Independent Director for two major ABS issuances and was an adjunct lecturer at St. Mary’s College and UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

“I am excited and energized to join the proven Aquila platform to help Al and a very strong team to drive the next stage of growth. The investment thesis of Aquila, together with the momentum and support of a strategically-aligned capital partner in Wafra, provides a timely opportunity to scale and execute our financial initiatives to support our core investment objectives,” says Gary Lew, Chief Financial Officer of Aquila Air Capital.

Prior to Capitola Partners, Lew was part of the founding team at Vx Capital Partners, sourcing and structuring equity and debt capital to support portfolio transactions, the VXF investment fund, and the CARGO 2018-1 ABS, while leading all finance, treasury, administration and portfolio management functions. Prior to that, he held positions at GATX Capital, Merrill Lynch, and the California Public Employees Retirement System, and appointments in both the Governor’s Office and U.S. Senate. Gary holds a B.A. degree from the University of California Los Angeles and an M.B.A. degree from the University of California Davis.

About Aquila Air Capital

Founded in 2021, Aquila Air Capital (“Aquila”) is a specialty finance platform focused on providing aviation asset financing, as well as purchasing and leasing aircraft and engines. Backed by funds managed by Wafra Inc., a New York-based, global alternative asset manager, and led by a management team with decades of experience in the aerospace and aviation industries, Aquila is a trusted partner to all players in the value chain, from buyers and sellers of assets to operators in need of creative and timely solutions for their critical business needs. www.AquilaAirCapital.com