Embry-Riddle, NAFA Foundation Partner on Aircraft Financing and Leasing Excellence

NAFA Foundation president Jim Blessing (left) and board member Lou Seno (right) join Dr. Shanan Gibson, dean of the David B. O’Maley College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, at a signing ceremony at NBAA-BACE on Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas. [Photo: Stephen Yeates]

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) Foundation announced their partnership Wednesday on aircraft financing and leasing excellence by kicking off an Endowed Award for Faculty Excellence managed by the foundation. The funds will be used to support the David B. O’Malley College of Business in Daytona Beach, Florida, as it “builds outstanding departments and programs in aircraft finance and leasing,” according to the school.

NAFA Foundation president Jim Blessing and board member Lou Seno joined Dr. Shanan Gibson, dean of the college of business at Embry-Riddle, at a signing ceremony at NBAA-BACE at the university’s booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The intersection of aviation knowledge with a master’s in business holds particular appeal to a wide cross-section of the aerospace industry, as companies across the board seek applicants possessing both areas of acumen. Seno noted that workforce development tops the list of key concerns for aviation businesses, and he welcomes the collaboration with Gibson and Embry-Riddle as a great way to be in at the ground level.

“At NAFA, we took a step back to try and find a way to be impactful, and it’s hard to beat this [partnership] as a way to help where it really counts,” Blessing said.

Concluded Gibson: “It’s not a little thing…it’s a big thing.”

To donate to the NAFA Foundation’s Endowed Award, visit the main Embry-Riddle donation page and select the award from the list of candidates.

Aircraft finance aircraft leasing college of business Embry-Riddle ERAU NAFA NBAA O’Maley

Julie BoatmanContributor

Based in Maryland, Julie Boatman is an aviation educator and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development.