Willis Lease Finance Corporation Welcomes Seasoned Leader David Hooke as SVP, Mergers & Acquisitions
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced the appointment of David Hooke as Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, effective November 10, 2025.
Hooke will lead WLFC’s global M&A strategy to drive portfolio growth across leasing, trading, and services. He joins after more than a decade as Managing Director, Investment Banking at Bank of America, where he advised clients including WLFC on M&A and capital markets. Hooke is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former KC-130J aircraft commander with 17 years of service.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) ha annunciato la nomina di David Hooke a Senior Vice President, Fusioni e Acquisizioni (M&A), con effetto dall'11 novembre 2025.
Hooke guiderà la strategia globale di M&A di WLFC per favorire la crescita del portafoglio nei settori leasing, trading e servizi. Si unisce all'azienda dopo oltre un decennio come Managing Director, Investment Banking presso Bank of America, dove ha consigliato clienti tra cui WLFC su M&A e mercati dei capitali. Hooke è un veterano decorato della United States Marine Corps e ex comandante di aerei KC-130J con 17 anni di servizio.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) anunció el nombramiento de David Hooke como Senior Vice President, Fusiones y Adquisiciones, con efecto el 10 de noviembre de 2025.
Hooke dirigirá la estrategia global de M&A de WLFC para impulsar el crecimiento de la cartera en leasing, trading y servicios. Se une después de más de una década como Director Gerente de Banca de Inversión en Bank of America, donde asesoró a clientes, entre ellos WLFC, en M&A y mercados de capitales. Hooke es un veterano condecorado del Cuerpo de Marines de EE. UU. y ex comandante de aeronaves KC-130J con 17 años de servicio.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC)는 David Hooke를 수석 부사장, 인수합병(Mergers & Acquisitions)으로 임명했으며 2025년 11월 10일부터 효력이 발생합니다.
Hooke는 WLFC의 글로벌 M&A 전략을 주도하여 리스, 트레이딩 및 서비스 전반에 걸친 포트폴리오 성장을 견인할 예정입니다. 그는 Bank of America의 투자 은행 부문에서 10년 이상 매니징 디렉터로 근무하며 WLFC를 포함한 고객들에게 M&A와 자본시장 관련 자문을 제공했습니다. Hooke는 미 해병대의 장식훈장을 받은 베테랑이자 KC-130J 기장으로 17년의 복무를 마친 전역입니다.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) a annoncé la nomination de David Hooke au poste de Senior Vice President, Fusion et Acquisition (M&A), avec prise d'effet le 10 novembre 2025.
Hooke pilotera la stratégie mondiale de M&A de WLFC afin de stimuler la croissance du portefeuille dans les domaines du leasing, du trading et des services. Il rejoint l'entreprise après plus d'une décennie en tant que Managing Director, Investment Banking chez Bank of America, où il a conseillé des clients, y compris WLFC, sur les M&A et les marchés de capitaux. Hooke est un vétéran décoré du Corps des Marines des États-Unis et ancien commandant d'aéronef KC-130J avec 17 années de service.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) hat die Bestellung von David Hooke zum Senior Vice President für Fusionen & Akquisitionen (Mergers & Acquisitions) mit Wirkung zum 10. November 2025 bekannt gegeben.
Hooke wird WLFC's globale M&A-Strategie leiten, um das Portfolio-Wachstum in den Bereichen Leasing, Trading und Dienstleistungen voranzutreiben. Er kommt nach mehr als einem Jahrzehnt als Managing Director, Investment Banking bei Bank of America, wo er Kunden, darunter WLFC, in M&A und Kapitalmärkten beriet. Hooke ist ein dekorierter Veteran der US-Marine und ehemaliger KC-130J-Flugzeug-Kommandant mit 17 Jahren Dienstzeit.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) أعلن عن تعيين David Hooke نائب رئيس أول، الاندماج والاستحواذ، اعتباراً من 10 نوفمبر 2025.
سيقود Hooke استراتيجية الاندماج والاستحواذ العالمية لـ WLFC لدفع نمو المحفظة عبر التأجير والتداول والخدمات. انضم بعد أكثر من عقد من العمل كـManaging Director, Investment Banking في Bank of America، حيث قدم المشورة للعملاء من بينهم WLFC في الاندماج والاستحواذ وأسواق رأس المال. Hooke مقاتل محترف مكرَّم من قوات مشاة البحرية الأمريكية ومقدّم طائرة KC-130J سابقاً بخبرة 17 عاماً في الخدمة.
- Appointed experienced M&A leader with >10 years at Bank of America
- Direct WLFC experience: previously advised WLFC on transactions
- Leadership background from 17-year U.S. Marine Corps career
- None.
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced the appointment of David Hooke as Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, effective immediately.
David will lead the Company’s global mergers and acquisitions strategy, driving portfolio growth and supporting the expansion of WLFC’s aviation leasing, trading, and services platform.
“Having worked with David for many years, I trust his integrity and admire his relentless pursuit of excellence and opportunities in the aerospace and defense industries,” said Charles F. Willis, Executive Chairman of WLFC. “His strategic insight, leadership, and investment banking experience make him an outstanding addition as we pursue continued growth.”
“I am honored to be joining the WLFC leadership team,” said David Hooke. “I look forward to collaborating with Austin and the team to accelerate growth through thoughtful acquisitions and partnerships that strengthen our global platform.”
David joins WLFC after more than a decade at Bank of America, where he served as Managing Director of Investment Banking, advising clients, including WLFC, on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and capital markets transactions.
Prior to his career in investment banking, David served in the United States Marine Corps as a KC-130J Aircraft Commander, retiring after 17-years of distinguished service. During his military career he held a variety of leadership roles, including flying combat missions in Afghanistan and other undisclosed locations, and serving as a Company Commander of a Marine Corps Recruit Training Company, where he led over 500 Marines and officers.
A decorated veteran and seasoned financial executive, David brings the discipline, precision, and strategic vision that will assist in driving WLFC’s continued growth.
About Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are subject to change in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, either expressly or implicitly, in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and natural disasters; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors, as well as the impact of new or increased tariffs; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
| CONTACT: | Lynn Mailliard Kohler |
| Director, Global Corporate Communications | |
| (415) 328-4798 |
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