Contrail Asset Management (CAM) Appoints Aircraft Finance and Leasing Veteran Douglas Kaprielian to Board as Independent Director

May 12, 2021 — Contrail Asset Management, LLC. (“CAM”), a full-service aviation asset management platform, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Douglas Kaprielian to its Board of Directors as an Independent Board Member. Mr. Kaprielian has 39 years of experience in aircraft finance and leasing.

In his role, Mr. Kaprielian will leverage his vast knowledge and experience in commercial aircraft leasing and finance to provide guidance on growth initiatives for the venture, which will include targeting investments in current generation narrow-body aircraft and engines.

Mr. Kaprielian joins the CAM Board having served most recently as Senior Vice President – Portfolio Management/Aircraft Trading for the Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a commercial jet aircraft operating lessor. ACG is one of the largest operating lessors in the world with a portfolio of over 320 aircraft and new aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus. He began his career at McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation, working in various capacities including financial forecasting, credit analysis, contracts and aviation finance and leasing. He was Director of Commercial Aircraft Finance and Leasing prior to joining ACG in 1996. Mr. Kaprielian also served on the Board of Directors of Magellan Aviation Group from 2011-13. Mr. Kaprielian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Finance and Investments from the University of Southern California.

“We are excited to have industry veteran Doug Kaprielian join our board,” said Joe Kuhn, Contrail CEO. “He knows what it takes to be successful in this business. With his vast trading and leasing experience paired with his portfolio management background, he stands to significantly help shape the strategic vision of our platform as we continue to grow.”

“I am honored for the opportunity to work with Air T, Contrail Asset Management and their investment partners and look forward to helping them leverage their collective financial and operational capabilities,” said Mr. Kaprielian. “Air T and CAM have talented people and solid operating platforms in the aviation space and together we look forward to supporting airline customers, manufacturers, MROs, lessors and other financial institutions with their own asset management initiatives.”

“Doug’s experience in all aspects of aviation leasing and finance bolsters our leadership at a pivotal time of growth for the new CAM platform,” said Nick Swenson, Chairman & CEO of Air T, Inc. “As we stand on the cusp of launching a scalable business that will allow us to serve the evolving needs of our customers, Doug’s contribution to helping us strategize and navigate our best path forward will, we believe, distinguish CAM as a leader in the industry.”