AE Industrial Partners has appointed John L. Plueger as Senior Advisor on its Operating Partners team, adding more than 40 years of aviation and aircraft leasing experience as the firm supports investments across commercial aerospace and aircraft leasing.
Plueger will work closely with AE Industrial portfolio companies in the commercial aerospace sector while also supporting the firm’s aircraft leasing investment portfolio.
He joins AE Industrial after serving as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Air Lease Corporation, one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors.
Plueger co-founded Air Lease in 2010 and helped build the company into a major global aircraft leasing platform.
Before Air Lease, he spent 25 years at International Lease Finance Corporation, where he held a series of senior positions including President, Chief Operating Officer, Acting Chief Executive Officer and board member.
Plueger also served for 10 years on the Board of Directors of Spirit AeroSystems.
His appointment adds significant operating and industry experience to AE Industrial as the firm continues investing across aerospace, national security and industrial services.
AE Industrial plans to draw on Plueger’s experience in aircraft leasing, aviation finance and commercial aerospace as it evaluates investments and works with existing portfolio companies on growth and operational initiatives.
Plueger has also participated in aerospace policy discussions during his career, including testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives and the European Commission on industry-related matters.
In addition to his executive background, Plueger is an experienced pilot. He holds a U.S. FAA Airline Transport Pilot license along with multiple jet type and instructor ratings.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and is a Certified Director through the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management’s Corporate Director Certification Program.
Plueger also serves on the boards of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Pepperdine University.
AE Industrial had approximately $9 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026.
Since 2015, the firm has completed more than 155 investments across national security, aerospace and industrial services.
AE Industrial invests through private equity, venture capital and aerospace leasing strategies and focuses on technologies and services it considers critical to national and economic security.
The firm is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, and also maintains an office in Washington, D.C.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are pleased to welcome John to the firm, where his leadership and knowledge of the aircraft leasing industry, will make him an invaluable addition to our distinguished team of operating professionals.”
“His proven track record of creating value within these specialized businesses and helping them grow will further enhance our ability to support our investments across the aerospace sector.”
David Rowe, Co-CEO and Managing Partner at AE Industrial Partners
“AE Industrial has built an outstanding reputation as a trusted partner across the aerospace market, combining deep expertise with a thoughtful investment approach that has helped businesses expand their capabilities, scale effectively, and deliver sustained enterprise value.”
“I look forward to working alongside this accomplished team to address the complex challenges facing an industry that is vital to global connectivity and economic growth.”
John L. Plueger, Senior Advisor at AE Industrial Partners
