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Savannah, GA – April 21, 2026 – As NAFA celebrated its 54^th Annual Conference, it celebrated something else as well – Tobias Kleitman’s longstanding contribution to the Association. Tobias has been on the Board of Directors since 2008 and in 2010 he held the position of Treasurer. A position he held with dedication, precision and integrity until 2025. During his tenure, Tobias helped guide NAFA through periods of growth, change and challenge. We recognize not just a career of achievement but a legacy of service, leadership and character. For his many years of loyal service Tobias was awarded NAFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors it has to present. 

NAFA’s President, Bryan Byers had this to say: “The Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award has been bestowed to very few individuals due to its eligibility criteria. NAFA’s focus has always been on the integrity of an aircraft’s transaction and financing. As such, the Association is founded on character, and a deep-rooted commitment to integrity. Tobias has exemplified this as a Board Member and Treasurer of NAFA.”

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 191 companies that have promoted the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

NAFA’s 54th Annual Conference a Great Success!
 

Savannah, GA, April 14-16, 2026 – #NAFA54 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) held its 54^thAnnual Conference April 14-16, 2026.  With 273 members in attendance (including 11 Embry-Riddle students), the conference was a great success!  The conference was held at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia.  The three-day event included a 1-day NAFA Aircraft Education Program, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University & NAFA Foundation update, Annual Business Meeting and a wide array of aviation and finance-specific Sessions.

“The 54^thAnnual Conference reflects a continued commitment by NAFA to raise the bar, with business thought leaders, Aviation & Insurance industry experts, and seasoned veterans in the finance community,” said Bryan Byers president of NAFA.  “Engaging discussions, presentations and panels about the future of the Aviation Industry & Finance, Preowned Business Aircraft Market, FAA Registry Privacy Issues/CARES and Aviation Insurance.”

Industry Keynote speakers this year were Ed Bolen, President & CEO, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and James A. Viola, President & CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) – Fireside Chat with Rollie Vincent, President, Rollie Vincent Associates (RVA).  

Conference participants also included Fireside Chat with Todd Simmons, President of Customer Experience, Cirrus and Jim Blessing, President, AirFleet Capital. Also, an update from Scott Neal, SVP Worldwide Sales, Gulfstream.

Welcoming the New Members of the NAFA Board of Directors 

This year, we welcome several new additions to the Board of Directors.  

• 2^nd Vice President: Chris Lee, 1^st Source Bank 

Members-at-Large: Joe DiLallo of Huntington Bank; Andrew Rebholz of Bank of America; Mike Smith of Scope Aircraft Finance  

NAFA thanks outgoing Members-at-Large Bruce Marshall and Dave Vandenberg for their contributions. 

Congratulations to our Golf winners AND “THANK YOU” to our Golf sponsors (McAfee & Taft, Falcon, AirFleet Capital, Dorr Aviation, Global Jet Capital, Huntington Bank, Prestige Aircraft Finance and TVPX):

1st Place: Richard Barret, Del Fogg, Michael Luftig, Eric Swanson

Closest to the Pin: Hunter Yahya

Straightest Drive:  Emily Deaton
 

NAFA would like to thank the conference sponsors:  

-       Atlantic – A-1 Air & Sea Recovery, Aero Asset, AirFleet Capital, Scope Aircraft Finance, Embraer, GlobalAir.com, Insured Aircraft Title Service, and Sankaty Jet Capital. 

-       On The River – Echo Aviation Leasing and JSSI Advisory Services. 

-       Power Plant– Aircraft Bluebook, Aviation Legal Group, Crowe Dunlevy, LL Johns Aviation Insurance and PNC. 

-       Three Muses – AircraftPost, Bank of America, Buchanan, GAMA, MidFirst Bank, 1st Source Bank.

-       NAFA/ASA – EyesOn Asset & Vinci Aeronautica.
 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 191 companies that have promoted the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) will host its annual State of the Industry Press Conference on February 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium, in Washington D.C. During this event, GAMA will announce the 2025 year-end aircraft shipment and billing numbers for the global general and business aviation industry, provide some industry updates and host a panel discussion on the issues important to general aviation.

WHAT:
GAMA State of the Industry Press Conference 

WHO:
GAMA members, including: 
Ron Draper – GAMA Chair; President and CEO, Textron Aviation 
James Viola – President & CEO, GAMA
 
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET 
 
WHERE:
Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University 
805 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
 
REGISTER: 
To register visit – https://forms.office.com/r/RDKe42ySzq 
 
For those unable to attend in-person, a live video feed will be made available on GAMA’s YouTube page.

For additional information, please contact Andre Castro, GAMA Managing Director of Communications, at acastro@gama.aero.

 NAFA’s 50th Anniversary Conference Brings NAFA to NAPA 

Powerful industry influencers speaking on critical subjects headline this year’s agenda 

The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) 50th Anniversary Annual Conference will be a can’t-miss event like never before, providing knowledge and insight into the economic and political environment that is shaping the business aviation industry.  The Conference will include insight from industry sector leaders and influencers about how they are responding to current and anticipated market dynamics.  

This year’s 50th anniversary event will be held in Napa Valley, California at the Meritage Resort from April 19– 22, 2022. NAFA plans to deliver an educationally rich conference with an agenda featuring some of the most respected speakers from across the industry.  With its 50th Anniversary NAFA is also taking the opportunity to expand the Conference, with additional educational content and networking opportunities, and Continuing Education Credits available for certain professions. 

2022’s robust agenda includes: 

• Keynote Dawn Hudson, former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Pepsi Co. and of the NFL will discuss “The Power of Brand” 

• A very timely address from Dr. LaVaughn Henry on the “Current State of US Monetary Policy” 

• Industry discussions with Ed Bolen (NBAA), Pete Bunce (GAMA), and Tim Obitts (NATA) 

• Manufacturer and product-line updates from Todd Simmons of Cirrus, Thierry Betbeze of Dassault, Michael Amalfitano of Embraer and Ron Draper of Textron Aviation 

• Market Updates from Bloomberg and IADA and the Broker/ Dealer Community  

• Impactful debate on issues such as aircraft valuations, aircraft insurance and preventing fraud 

• Educational content on changes with the FAA Registry and a Legal Roundtable on Import/ Export and Customs challenges 

Besides the business of aviation, there will be ample opportunity to network and socialize, since we all recognize that some of the best business takes place out of the conference room. The NAFA Annual Golf Classic is being rebranded to help raise funds to support the newly formed NAFA Foundation, in support of Student Scholarships.  Finally, we intend to incorporate plenty of opportunities to enjoy local food and wine, with experiences that can only be found in Napa Valley.  To learn more about this conference, or register, visit the event page on our site. 

“This April’s 50th Anniversary conference will be very special, in more ways than usual” said Jim Blessing, president of NAFA. “There have been a lot of changes in and around our industry since we last met in Ft Lauderdale, and we are looking forward to discussing and evaluating these changes as well as reconnecting with colleagues.” 

The National Aircraft Finance Association is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the general welfare of individuals and organizations providing aircraft financing and loans secured by aircraft; to improving the industry's service to the public; and to providing our members with a forum for education and the sharing of information and knowledge to encourage the financing, leasing and insuring of general aviation aircraft. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDGEWATER, Md. – March 17, 2020 – The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is postponing their 49^th Annual Conference due to precautions taking place in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, or Coronavirus. Scheduled to be held April 28^th through May 1^st, 2020 at The Meritage Resort in Napa Valley, California, NAFA’s Annual Conference is now on hold until further notice. 

NAFA’s decision to postpone comes amidst what is now a national emergency due to the ongoing spread and impact of Coronavirus. With an abundance of care for its hundreds of members and dedication to promoting the aviation industry, the Board of Directors took great consideration in this course of action.

“We understand the travel precautions our members are taking to protect their staff and communities, and the likely need for a temporary continuation of these restrictions,” stated Jim Blessing, President of NAFA. “Our Annual Conference is a highly anticipated meeting, with an extensive schedule of sessions on the latest developments in aviation and several social events. We don’t want anyone to miss out or be at risk, so our decision is to reconvene in 2021.”

NAFA will remain apprised of all developments regarding COVID-19, including member and government-imposed travel precautions, and reschedule their Annual Conference based on those factors. The Board of Directors is hopeful about the timeframe and will keep its members and other attendees updated regularly.

About NAFA:  

The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the general welfare of individuals and organizations providing aircraft financing and loans secured by aircraft; to improving the industry's service to the public; and to providing our members with a forum for education and the sharing of information and knowledge to encourage the financing, leasing and insuring of general aviation aircraft. For more information about NAFA, visit NAFA.aero.

NAFA is pleased to announce that Dr. LaVaughn M. Henry is returning to our Annual Conference as the guest speaker on economy. Dr. Henry is a Policy Analyst in the Banking and Regulatory Policy Section at the FDIC and will discuss the Status and Outlook of the U.S. Economy and Monetary Policy on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, from 9:30-10:30 am. 

We are also happy to welcome aviation powerhouses Mark Baker, President, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), and Ed Bolen, President, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) for the State of the Aviation Industry, moderated by Ford von Weise, Director-Head of Global Aircraft Finance, Citi Private Bank. Come hear what these industry leaders have to say on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, from 10:45 am to noon.  Click here for the full program agenda.