Charles Graham
Executive Chairman
Charles Graham
Executive Chairman
Charles Graham is a veteran of the aviation and transportation sector, bringing significant CEO and Board experience spanning the worlds of airlines, aircraft financing and express logistics.
His career includes 16 years as Global CFO and Managing Director of the express integrator TNT Express, (now part of FedEx), 5 years as CEO Global Aviation and Board Member of DHL Express, and 9 years as CEO of one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, AWAS (now Dubai Aerospace). In addition, Charles has been an independent advisor to several of the world’s leading aircraft lessors.
Charles joined the Board of Directors of the Kahala Aviation Group in 2013 and was instrumental in the founding of its successor company K2 Aviation in 2024.
Charles holds a Degree in Law (LL.B.) from The University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom; is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (FIoD) and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS).
Michael Howard
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Howard
Chief Financial Officer
Michael has significant top-level CFO and general management experience in a variety of organizations.
Most recently Michael was the founder and CFO of the Company's predecessor company, Kahala Aviation Group, the mid-life aircraft lessor and trader. From 2007 to 2009, Michael was Chief Financial Officer of AWAS (now Dubai Aerospace), one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors. While there, Michael was instrumental in originating and structuring over $1 billion of debt financing for aircraft acquisitions. From 2005 to 2007, he was the CFO of Statoil Ireland Ltd., one of Ireland's largest fuel companies and forecourt retailers. Prior to that, Michael was with Irish Distillers Group, a subsidiary of Groupe Pernod Ricard, where he was CFO from 2000 to 2005.
Michael holds a Degree in Law (BCL) from University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; a Masters in Accounting from Dublin City University and is a Chartered Director (CDir) with the Institute of Directors. Michael is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Ireland. He began his career at KPMG serving as manager in the Dublin and Milan offices.
Sebastian Lourier
Chief Operating Officer
Sebastian Lourier
Chief Operating Officer
Sebastian is a seasoned aircraft leasing executive as well as a third-generation aviation enthusiast. He started his aviation career in 1990 and developed significant skills in aviation finance and operations. He has been an instrumental leader in aircraft leasing and the commercial airline industry.
Most recently, Sebastian was co-founder and CEO of Crestone Air Partners, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of AIR T, Inc., focused on leasing and managing commercial mid and end-of-life aviation assets. He also served in executive roles at FTAI/Fortress and Aviation Capital Group.
Prior to joining the leasing industry in 2011, Sebastian advanced through senior management roles with commercial airlines, including US Airways (now American Airlines), Northwest Airlines (now Delta Airlines), America West Airlines and Lufthansa. His responsibilities included aircraft and engine lease return negotiations, supply chain, technical operations, and FP&A.
Sebastian earned an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida; and a B.ENG in Industrial Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany.
Dillon Mack
FP&A Manager
Dillon Mack
FP&A Manager
Dillon Mack joins us as FP&A Manager. Since 2016, Dillon has accumulated a wealth of experience through his work in professional services within the aviation industry.
Dillon started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers Ireland where he spent 4 years providing assurance services to several top aircraft leasing clients. From 2021 to 2024 Dillon worked as a Manager in the Aviation Advisory practice of Grant Thornton Ireland.
He worked with airlines and lessors of varying sizes providing consulting and financial modeling services. Dillon has gained invaluable experience in the building of aviation specific financial models for different elements of the industry, including maintenance forecasting, aircraft pricing and fleet cashflow forecasting.
Dillon holds a Degree in Commerce (BComm) and a Masters in Accounting (MAcc), both from University College Dublin, Ireland. Dillon is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Karl Ryan
Managing Partner
Karl Ryan
Managing Partner
Karl is a commercial aviation executive with wide industry experience within global aircraft leasing, spanning three continents. Throughout his career, he has originated and closed over 100 mid-life and new commercial aircraft transactions.
His background includes sales and marketing coverage of global airline accounts, executing sale-leaseback strategies, re-marketing, deal origination, order book placements and supporting portfolio management within the Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and ATR product lines.
Karl began his aviation leasing career in 2009 at GE Capital Aviation Services (now AerCap) and gained transactional experience at Aviation Capital Group, SKY Leasing, AMCK Aviation (now Carlyle Aviation Partners), Avation PLC and Azorra. Prior to joining the aviation leasing industry, he was a commercial banker focusing on investments in technology and commercial real estate sectors.
Karl holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from Pacific Lutheran University, Washington. He is also alumnus of the GE Experienced Commercial Leadership Program (ECLP).