Aviation Capital Group Realigns OEM Coverage Team to Support Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG), a leading global full-service aircraft asset manager, has announced a significant reorganization of its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage team. This strategic realignment is designed to enhance operational efficiencies, strengthen OEM engagement, and support ACG’s long-term growth objectives in an evolving global aviation landscape.
As part of this organizational transformation, ACG has elevated two key leaders within its OEM group: Tom Habelmann has been promoted to Head of OEM Operations, while Helen Zhu has been appointed as Assistant Vice President, OEM Strategy & Counsel. This move reflects ACG’s continued focus on building a high-performing leadership team equipped to navigate the complexities of modern aircraft acquisition, portfolio management, and OEM collaboration.
In his expanded role, Tom Habelmann will oversee a broad array of responsibilities within the OEM Operations function. He will lead a specialized team charged with evaluating, selecting, and procuring next-generation aircraft for ACG’s diverse and growing portfolio. Additionally, Tom will manage the New Aircraft Management and Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) Procurement teams, ensuring that ACG’s aircraft deliveries are executed with precision, cost-efficiency, and strategic foresight.
Tom’s elevation is a reflection of his deep industry expertise and longstanding contributions to ACG’s success. Over the years, he has played a critical role in shaping the company’s aircraft acquisition strategy, maintaining strong relationships with manufacturers, and driving innovation in operational processes.
Working closely with Tom, Helen Zhu will take on the newly created role of Assistant Vice President, OEM Strategy & Counsel. In this capacity, Helen will be responsible for managing all contractual engagements with OEMs, ensuring that ACG maintains best-in-class agreements that align with its financial and operational priorities. She will also support the development and execution of strategic initiatives related to OEM relationships and aircraft procurement.
Helen brings to the role a unique blend of legal acumen, strategic insight, and industry experience. Her promotion signals ACG’s continued investment in developing internal talent and aligning leadership roles with strategic imperatives. With her guidance, ACG aims to further strengthen its negotiating capabilities and ensure consistency across OEM transactions.
As part of the realignment, Tom, Helen, and the broader OEM Operations team will now operate within ACG’s Strategic Investment Department. They will report directly to Rob Downes, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at ACG, who will oversee the company’s OEM strategy, operations, and data-driven analysis.
This integration within the Strategic Investment Department underscores ACG’s belief that OEM engagement is not only an operational necessity but also a critical driver of long-term investment performance. By aligning OEM operations more closely with strategic investment planning, ACG can better assess fleet composition, forecast asset performance, and negotiate favorable terms with aircraft manufacturers.
OEM engagement across ACG will now be co-led by Rob Downes and Carter White, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). This dual-leadership model is designed to bridge the gap between investment strategy and commercial execution. While Rob will be responsible for defining and implementing OEM strategy, overseeing operational metrics, and managing long-term analysis, Carter will lead OEM relationship management, focusing on partnership development, commercial alignment, and external communications with OEM partners.
Carter White’s role as CCO positions him as the central figure in maintaining and expanding ACG’s relationships with major OEMs such as Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer. His commercial expertise and industry relationships will be instrumental in ensuring that ACG remains a preferred partner for leading aircraft manufacturers around the world.
Speaking on the reorganization, Thomas Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACG, emphasized the strategic importance of this shift and praised the leadership qualities of Tom and Helen.
“This reorganization of our OEM platform provides optimized alignment with ACG’s strategic growth objectives and ensures enhanced efficiencies and OEM engagement across our Commercial and Strategic Investment departments,” said Baker. “Tom and Helen have been instrumental to the execution of ACG’s OEM operations for the past several years and bring extensive experience to their new leadership roles within the team. Their elevation further underlines ACG’s commitment to developing, enabling, and advancing talent within our business. We are excited for the significant positive impact Tom and Helen can have in their expanded roles.”
The realignment also reflects broader trends within the aviation industry, where lessors and asset managers are being asked to play more proactive roles in shaping fleet strategies amid shifting global dynamics. Rising fuel costs, increasing regulatory scrutiny around emissions, and rapid technological innovation are prompting leasing companies to reassess how they interact with OEMs—not just as buyers, but as long-term strategic partners.
For ACG, this means ensuring that every aircraft order is aligned with emerging market trends, sustainability targets, and residual value forecasts. It also means strengthening internal capabilities to manage more complex procurement structures and delivery schedules.
As one of the world’s premier aircraft lessors, ACG manages a fleet of over 400 aircraft and serves approximately 90 airline customers in over 45 countries. With strong backing from Tokyo Century Corporation, ACG continues to position itself as a forward-thinking player in the aviation finance sector, leveraging strategic partnerships and operational agility to drive long-term value for stakeholders.
This latest organizational move is just one example of how ACG is adapting to the needs of a modern aviation marketplace—where efficiency, resilience, and foresight are key differentiators.
By empowering proven leaders, integrating cross-functional expertise, and rethinking the structure of OEM engagement, ACG is reinforcing its reputation as an innovative, well-capitalized, and relationship-driven aircraft lessor.
About Aviation Capital Group
Aviation Capital Group is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with over 500 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of December 31, 2024, leased to roughly 85 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It specializes in commercial aircraft leasing and provides certain aircraft asset management services and aircraft financing solutions for third parties. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.