COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) (&#34;WLFC&#34; or the &#34;Company&#34;), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation

WLFC

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Welcomes Marilyn Gan as Head of Origination, Asia Pacific

WLFC Appoints New Head of Origination for Asia Pacific Market

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    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) (&amp;#34;WLFC&amp;#34; or the &amp;#34;Company&amp;#34;), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Willis Lease Finance Corporation has appointed Marilyn Gan as the new Head of Origination for the Asia Pacific region, enhancing its strategic expansion efforts. Her extensive experience in aviation finance positions WLFC to deepen customer partnerships and innovate solutions, potentially accelerating growth in this critical market.</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>WLFC appoints Marilyn Gan as Head of Origination for Asia Pacific.</li><li>Gan has extensive experience in aviation finance and leasing.</li><li>Her role will boost WLFC&#039;s presence in Asia&#039;s competitive market.</li><li>Gan aims to expand customer partnerships and deliver innovative solutions.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC)</strong>: WLFC&#039;s leadership changes could enhance strategic initiatives in Asia.</li><li><strong>Vmo Aircraft Leasing (N/A)</strong>: Gan&#039;s transition from Vmo reflects a strong talent acquisition in the sector.</li><li><strong>MUFG (N/A)</strong>: Former affiliations indicate strong financial industry relationships that could benefit WLFC.</li><li><strong>DVB Bank SE (N/A)</strong>: Gan&#039;s prior experience suggests strong networking capabilities in aviation finance.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>This press release falls under &#039;Corporate Developments&#039; as it reflects WLFC&#039;s strategic leadership change aimed at enhancing their market position in Asia, which could significantly impact future revenue growth and operational success.</p>
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  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Appointment of Marilyn Gan signals strategic focus on Asia Pacific market growth.</li><li>Her expertise may enhance WLFC&#039;s competitive positioning and revenue potential.</li><li>Ongoing partnerships could lead to increased deal flow and profitability.</li><li>Positive sentiment could drive short-term stock performance.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Marilyn Gan previously led origination efforts at Vmo Aircraft Leasing.</li><li>She has held senior roles at MUFG and DVB Bank SE.</li><li>WLFC is a leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines.</li><li>Gan aims to expand WLFC&#039;s presence in Asia&#039;s aviation market.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Investor outlook for WLFC is bullish due to strategic leadership changes aiming for market expansion.</p>
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link><p align="justify">COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March  04, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WLFC">WLFC</a>) ("WLFC" or the "Company"), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced the appointment of Marilyn Gan as Head of Origination, Asia Pacific. In this role, Marilyn will lead origination efforts in Asia for WLFC's owned portfolio as well as for funds managed by the Company's recently announced asset manager, Willis Aviation Capital, leveraging her extensive experience in structuring debt and equity transactions and building strategic partnerships across the aviation industry.</p>  <p align="justify">Most recently, Marilyn served as Head of Asia Pacific at Vmo Aircraft Leasing, where she led regional strategy and origination efforts across the APAC market. Prior to that, she was Managing Director and Head of Origination Asia Pacific Aviation at MUFG and previously held multiple senior leadership roles at DVB Bank SE, including Managing Director and Regional Head Asia Pacific Aviation Finance. She began her aviation career as Senior Legal Counsel at BOC Aviation, where she was responsible for documentation of aircraft loan and lease transactions globally.</p>  <p align="justify">"Marilyn brings exceptional industry expertise, deep regional relationships and a proven track record in aviation finance and leasing," said Craig Welsh, SVP &amp; Chief Commercial Officer, of WLFC. "Her leadership across Asia Pacific and her comprehensive understanding of origination, risk, and transaction structuring will be instrumental as we continue to grow our platform."</p>  <p align="justify">In addition to her executive leadership roles, Marilyn serves as a Board Member of the Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable (AWAR) and has previously served on the Board of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), reflecting her strong commitment to industry leadership and advancing diversity in aviation.</p>  <p align="justify">"I am excited to join WLFC at this pivotal stage," said Marilyn Gan. "I look forward to working with the team to expand our presence, deepen customer partnerships, and deliver innovative solutions across the aviation sector."</p>  <p align="justify"><strong>About Willis Lease Finance Corporation</strong></p>  <p align="justify">Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center&#xAE;, Willis Aviation Services Limited, and Jet Centre by Willis, 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.</p>  <p><strong>Forward-Looking Statements </strong></p>  <p align="justify">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.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width:99%; border-collapse:collapse ;"><tr><td style="max-width:10%; width:10%; min-width:10%;;text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: bottom ; "><strong>CONTACT:</strong></td><td style="max-width:90%; width:90%; min-width:90%;;text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: bottom ; ">Lynn Mailliard Kohler</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: top ; "> </td><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: bottom ; ">Director, Global Corporate Communications</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: top ; "> </td><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: bottom ; ">(415) 328-4798</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: top ; "> </td><td style="text-align: justify ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: bottom ; ">lkohler@willislease.com</td></tr></table> <p align="center"><br></br></p> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTY2NTc1NSM3NDY3Mzk2IzIwMjY5MDg="></img> <br></br><img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/YmJmZmJjOTMtOGU4YS00OTc3LTkwNjktMDgxYTcyZjhlNmJmLTEwMzg1NDQtMjAyNi0wMy0wNC1lbg==/tiny/Willis-Lease-Finance-Corp-.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><p><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7750338-127c-4be8-9305-fb8b94ddd7a4"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/c7750338-127c-4be8-9305-fb8b94ddd7a4/small/wlfc-jpg.jpg" border="0" width="150" height="63" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a></p>

Willis Lease Finance Corporation has appointed Marilyn Gan as the new Head of Origination for the Asia Pacific region, enhancing its strategic expansion efforts. Her extensive experience in aviation finance positions WLFC to deepen customer partnerships and innovate solutions, potentially accelerating growth in this critical market.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Welcomes Marilyn Gan as Head of Origination, Asia Pacific

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