Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) has appointed Pascal Picano as Senior Vice President, Aircraft Leasing & Trading. Effective immediately, Picano will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Austin C. Willis and collaborate closely with Marc Pierpoint, Senior Vice President and Head of Trading & Investments, as the company sharpens its focus on portfolio expansion and strategic growth.
This newly created role underlines WLFC’s ambition to scale its aircraft leasing platform while investing in next-generation assets aligned with the evolving needs of the aviation sector. Picano will be responsible for broadening the company’s aircraft portfolio, complementing Pierpoint’s ongoing oversight of the engine leasing and trading business.
Welcoming the appointment, Chief Executive Austin C. Willis praised Picano’s reputation in aviation finance, noting: “Pascal has been a trusted figure in aviation finance for decades, and we are delighted to welcome him to the WLFC senior leadership team. He will be an invaluable addition, bringing deep expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a proven track record to our organisation.”
Picano brings more than 25 years of international experience in aviation finance, specialising in aircraft acquisitions, leasing, and capital markets. Most recently, he served on the Board of Directors at Avia Solutions Group, following senior leadership positions at Carlyle Aviation Partners, formerly Apollo Aviation Group. His career has been marked by structuring complex transactions, raising equity and debt financing for aircraft deals, and leading high-performing teams across the aviation sector.
