The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA)

Jim Blessing, NAFA’s President, details some of the Association’s history, and how it became the professional organization that facilitates the interchange of ideas and capital that finance the world’s general and business aviation aircraft. 

Topics covered include:

• NAFA’s Mission statement and what are the organization’s goals.
• NAFA’s networking and educational opportunities, which includes industry “best practices”.
• The types of entities comprising NAFA’s Membership.
• In terms of transactions, the market presence that NAFA’s aircraft finance companies represent.
• The organization’s strategic priorities.

About Jim Blessing

President of the National Finance Association (NAFA), Jim Blessing, is the Vice President of Air Fleet Capital, Inc., where he oversees all functions of the company, to include strategic planning, marketing, and sales, and he participates regularly with credit evaluation and underwriting. He joined AirFleet in 1999 and has helped participate in its growth from a new entrant in aircraft lending to one of the larger firms in the segment. Prior to AirFleet, he was the CFO for an aviation company with a focus on government contracting, a firm that provided logistical support through the Department of Defense and United Nations special programs groups worldwide.

Jim has worked in the field of aviation for his entire career, receiving his BS in Aviation from Florida Institute of Technology in 1988. He is a Private Pilot, a lifetime member of AOPA, EAA, and the Seaplane Pilots’ Association. Jim also serves as current President of the National Aircraft Finance Association. Aviation is in his blood, as he was originally inspired to pursue aviation by his father who served in the USAF, and his wife Cathy is also a pilot with both Instrument and Seaplane ratings.

National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA)

The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association that facilitates the interchange of ideas and capital that finance the world’s general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA provides a forum for the discussion of issues impacting the industry, exploration of best practices, and review of risk mitigation strategies, in addition to its other core missions of professional education, networking and industry advancement.

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