The People Behind The Planes

At Genesis, our values define how we work together. We challenge convention and strive to exceed our customers’ expectations. See how our team of experts can help your business.

Leadership Team

Karl Griffin
Chief Executive Officer

Appointed Group Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Karl joined Genesis in 2018 with 30 years aviation industry experience, as Chief Commercial & Investment Officer.

Prior to joining Genesis, Karl was the Chief Operating Officer at AWAS, where he spent 11 years building AWAS into a $15bn global aircraft leasing business.

Karl started his aviation career in 1990 as an apprentice in the Maintenance Repair & Overhaul sector with a GPA Joint Venture company, Shannon Aerospace. In 1998, Karl became a founding member of low-cost airline Virgin Express with a fleet of 25 aircraft serving major European cities. In 2002 Karl joined the newly formed RBS Aviation Capital, where he held various technical, pricing and marketing roles and led RBS Aviation Capitals engine leasing and finance business.

Karl received a first-class honours MBA from the University of Limerick, a Dip. Mechanical Engineering from Galway Institute of Technology and an ICAO & EASA aircraft maintenance engineers licence.

Karl Griffin
Chief Executive Officer
Adam Smyth
Chief Financial Officer

Adam Smyth is the Chief Financial Officer at Genesis. He is responsible for finance, treasury, corporate accounting, taxation and financial planning of the business. Adam Smyth is a founding member of Genesis and has over 14 years’ experience in the finance industry.

While at Genesis, Adam has been responsible for the development of the long-term investment strategy of the business and building the tools required to accurately underwrite and value the business and specific transactions. Adam has also been responsible for the design and management of the investment governance across Genesis and accurately reporting on Genesis’ investments. Prior to joining Genesis Adam was an auditor at Ernst and Young.

Adam holds a degree in Economics and Financial Mathematics from University College Dublin and is a Chartered Accountant. Adam has completed Level 3 CFA exam and received a Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ireland.

Adam Smyth
Chief Financial Officer
Anna Reimers
Chief Legal Officer

Anna Reimers is the Chief Legal Officer at Genesis. Anna leads the legal and contracts management team for the full Genesis portfolio aircraft. Anna was Genesis legal counsel since 2014, before joining the company in 2017.

Prior to joining Genesis, Anna worked in practice with McGuireWoods. Anna has over 20 years’ experience in the legal aviation sector, focusing on acquisition, disposition, leasing and management of aircraft portfolios.

Anna holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and received her JD. from the University of Denver College of Law.

Anna Reimers
Chief Legal Officer
Peter O’Byrne
Chief Commercial Officer

Peter O’Byrne is Chief Commercial Officer at Genesis. Peter leads the trading origination, sales, and managed services within the group. Previously Peter was responsible for Genesis’ European and Americas customers and markets where he led the origination of aircraft for acquisitions, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestments. Peter joined Genesis in 2018.

Peter has over 15 years’ experience in aircraft leasing. Prior to joining Genesis, Peter held various technical and trading roles at CIT Aerospace, AWAS and Sky leasing.

Peter holds a bachelor of aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick and a Masters in investment, treasury, and banking from Dublin City University.

Peter O’Byrne
Chief Commercial Officer
Brian Dowling
Chief Technical Officer

Brian is our Chief Technical Officer, with more than four decades of experience in the aircraft leasing, airline, and maintenance industries. During his career, Brian has held senior executive roles at leading global lessors, including CDB Aviation, and SMBC Aviation Capital. Prior to Genesis, Brian served as CDB Aviation’s Chief Technical Officer. Brian has a long track record of managing large and multilocation technical teams and has extensive relationships at senior levels with the world’s leading airlines and OEMs.

Brain holds an Honors MSc In Air Transport Management from the City University of London, an FAA A&P licence, EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence and Dip from the Institute of Directors.

Brian Dowling
Chief Technical Officer
Denise Byrne
SVP Portfolio Services

Denise Byrne is Genesis’ Senior Vice President of Portfolio Services: an integrated risk and pricing team designed to share data and design optimised solutions and outcomes for Genesis customers, and the business.

Prior to this role Denise was VP Pricing at Genesis responsible for underwriting assumptions, transaction analysis and supporting the Commercial and Trading teams with acquisitions, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestment.

Prior to joining Genesis, Denise worked for over 11 years with DAE (formerly AWAS) in FP&A and most recently as Director of Pricing. Denise began her career at PwC.
Denise is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Business from Trinity College Dublin.

Denise Byrne
SVP Portfolio Services

Commercial & Trading Team

Peter O’Byrne
Chief Commercial Officer

Peter O’Byrne is Chief Commercial Officer at Genesis. Peter leads the trading origination, sales, and managed services within the group. Previously Peter was responsible for Genesis’ European and Americas customers and markets where he led the origination of aircraft for acquisitions, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestments. Peter joined Genesis in 2018.

Peter has over 15 years’ experience in aircraft leasing. Prior to joining Genesis, Peter held various technical and trading roles at CIT Aerospace, AWAS and Sky leasing.

Peter holds a bachelor of aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick and a Masters in investment, treasury, and banking from Dublin City University.

Peter O’Byrne
Chief Commercial Officer
Pat Madigan
Head of Commercial

Pat Madigan is Head of Commercial at Genesis. Pat joined Genesis in 2018 and leads the commercial team with responsibility for global airline sales activities, remarketing and origination of aircraft. Pat began his aviation career in 1992 and most recently spent 12 years as Vice President Sales & Marketing with Shannon Engine Support (SES), the leasing arm of CFM International originating engine lease transactions with airlines globally.

Prior to SES Pat worked for Aerotech Aviation Services, a bespoke aviation services company specializing in supporting aircraft lessors with aircraft surveillance, aircraft lease transition management, aircraft heavy maintenance project management and technical services support. Pat also worked for two start-up airlines Virgin Express Ireland, and Skynet Airlines Ireland. During this time, Pat was involved in all aspects of the airline engineering and continuous airworthiness management activity plus management of the aircraft lease deliveries and redeliveries with various aircraft lessors.

Pat began his career as an aircraft maintenance engineer at Shannon Aerospace; a joint venture of GPA, Lufthansa and Swissair. Pat holds a first-class honours degree in business studies from the University of Limerick and is an EASA certified aircraft maintenance engineer.

Pat Madigan
Head of Commercial
John Cunningham
SVP Commercial

John Cunningham is Senior Vice President Commercial for Asia at Genesis. John joined Genesis in 2023 and leads our commercial activity in Asia.

He began his aviation career in 1990 with Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in Shannon and has held senior financial, commercial and leadership roles at GE Capital (GECAS), Shannon Engine Support (SES), CDB Aviation and Commercial Aircraft Trading Services (CATS). He has lived and worked in Asia for 11 years and is currently based in Singapore.

John previously worked for KPMG and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He also holds a first-class degree in Business Studies from Trinity College, Dublin.

John Cunningham
SVP Commercial
Owen Croucher
SVP Trading

Owen Croucher is SVP Trading at Genesis. Owen is responsible for the origination of aircraft for acquisition, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestments. Owen joined Genesis in 2020.

Owen has worked in aviation finance since 2013. Prior to joining Genesis, Owen held various roles in airline remarketing, pricing and finance within Aergo Capital and Standard Chartered Bank.

Owen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick and completed his ACCA examinations in 2017.

Owen Croucher
SVP Trading
Mark Hegarty
VP Commercial

Mark Hegarty is Vice President Commercial at Genesis. Mark is responsible for Genesis customers in the Americas. Mark's role includes the origination of aircraft for acquisitions, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestments. Mark joined Genesis in 2020.

Mark has over 18 years’ experience in military aviation and consulting. Prior to joining Genesis, Mark held various operations, planning and programme management roles in the Irish military and was a founding member of Karman Aviation leasing consultants. He has flown a range of fixed wing military aircraft.

Mark holds a bachelor of arts in accounting and finance from Dublin Business School, and received a first class honours MBA in aviation management from the University of Limerick. Mark also holds an EASA Airline Transport Pilots Licence.

Mark Hegarty
VP Commercial
Bridget Gallagher
AVP Commercial

Bridget Gallagher is an AVP Commercial at Genesis. Bridget is responsible for trading activities including aircraft acquisitions, divestments, and transaction analysis. Prior to this, Bridget worked in both the Pricing and Commercial teams supporting marketing, trading, and pricing activities. Bridget joined Genesis in 2018.

Bridget is an active member of the ISTAT Rising Executives initiative, leading the Dublin team and activities in the region.

Bridget holds professional diplomas in strategy management and alternative investments from University College Dublin, a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering from the Queen’s University of Belfast, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Aircraft Systems from the Institute of Technology Carlow.

Bridget Gallagher
AVP Commercial
Deirdre McGrane
Commercial & Marketing Analyst

Deirdre McGrane is a Commercial & Marketing Analyst at Genesis. Deirdre joined Genesis in 2023 and is responsible for supporting the Commercial Team on transactions, deal management, market analysis, and customer relations.

Prior to joining Genesis, Deirdre worked with GECAS and Lease Corporation International in their Technical Departments. Deirdre holds and Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Limerick.

Deirdre McGrane
Commercial & Marketing Analyst

Portfolio Services

Denise Byrne
SVP Portfolio Services

Denise Byrne is Genesis’ Senior Vice President of Portfolio Services: an integrated risk and pricing team designed to share data and design optimised solutions and outcomes for Genesis customers, and the business.

Prior to this role Denise was VP Pricing at Genesis responsible for underwriting assumptions, transaction analysis and supporting the Commercial and Trading teams with acquisitions, portfolio remarketing and aircraft divestment.

Prior to joining Genesis, Denise worked for over 11 years with DAE (formerly AWAS) in FP&A and most recently as Director of Pricing. Denise began her career at PwC.
Denise is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Business from Trinity College Dublin.

Denise Byrne
SVP Portfolio Services
Leanne Brolly
VP Risk

Leanne Brolly is VP Risk at Genesis. Leanne is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of Genesis’ risk management framework and policies. She is also primarily responsible for analysing transactions for airline and jurisdiction risk and assessing aviation investment opportunities.

Prior to joining Genesis in 2021, Leanne began her career in Fidelity Investments in their Asset Management department before transitioning to AIB Corporate Banking. Leanne held various roles at AIB Corporate Banking overseeing a portfolio of customers in the Retail, Oil Distribution and Aircraft Leasing industries. Her last role there was Relationship Manager.

Leanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting & Finance and a Master of Science in Finance specialising in Capital Markets from Dublin City University. She is also a Qualified Financial Advisor and an ACCA affiliate.

Leanne Brolly
VP Risk
Jonathan Struthers
AVP Pricing

Jonathan Struthers is an AVP Pricing and ISTAT Certified Appraiser at Genesis. Jonathan is responsible for transaction analysis and the pricing model development and governance. Jonathan joined Genesis in 2018.

Jonathan has over 12 years' aircraft leasing experience across various transaction analysis and technical roles at AWAS & DAE.

Jonathan holds a bachelor of aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick.

Jonathan Struthers
AVP Pricing
Rachel Murray
Pricing Manager

Rachel Murray is a Pricing Manager with the Trading & Portfolio Services team at Genesis. Rachel joined Genesis in 2021.

Rachel has a Master of Science in aviation finance from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from UCD.

Rachel Murray
Pricing Manager
James Keenan
Risk Analyst

James Keenan is a Risk Analyst at Genesis. James joined Genesis in 2022 and is responsible for completing airline credit risk analyses.

James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Dublin City University and is currently completing a Master of Science from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

James Keenan
Risk Analyst

Technical

Brian Dowling
Chief Technical Officer

Brian is our Chief Technical Officer, with more than four decades of experience in the aircraft leasing, airline, and maintenance industries. During his career, Brian has held senior executive roles at leading global lessors, including CDB Aviation, and SMBC Aviation Capital. Prior to Genesis, Brian served as CDB Aviation’s Chief Technical Officer. Brian has a long track record of managing large and multilocation technical teams and has extensive relationships at senior levels with the world’s leading airlines and OEMs.

Brain holds an Honors MSc In Air Transport Management from the City University of London, an FAA A&P licence, EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence and Dip from the Institute of Directors.

Brian Dowling
Chief Technical Officer
Simon Delaney
VP Powerplant

Simon Delaney is the Vice President of Powerplant at Genesis and manages all of the powerplant activities across the Genesis fleet. Simon joined Genesis in 2023 and has over 15 years experience across airline, maintenance, and aircraft leasing industries.

Simon holds a B.A.I. in Mechanical Engineering from Trinity College Dublin and is a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland.

Simon Delaney
VP Powerplant
James Curtin
VP Asset Management

James Curtin is Vice President Asset Management at Genesis with responsibilities in negotiating LOIs, Leases, GTAs, transitions, transactions, and asset management. James began his aviation career in base maintenance at Shannon Aerospace, before joining Aer Lingus where he held management roles in line maintenance, hangar, aircraft transitions, CAMO and Head of Fleet Development. James took up a VP Technical role with CDB Aviation in 2020 and joined Genesis in 2023.

James holds an Executive MBA and Diploma in Continued Airworthiness & Maintenance Management from the University of Limerick, Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ireland and an unrestricted EASA certified aircraft maintenance engineer.

James Curtin
VP Asset Management
Connor Griffin
Technical Operations Manager

Connor Griffin is a Technical Operations Manager within Genesis’s Technical and Operations Team. Connor joined Genesis in 2022.

Before joining Genesis, Connor worked as a Repairs Executive with Eirtrade Aviation overseeing all airframe repair orders and assisting in all airframe-related sales orders.

Connor has a BA Joint Major Honours degree in Marketing and Economics from Maynooth University.

Connor Griffin
Technical Operations Manager

Finance & IT

Adam Smyth
Chief Financial Officer

Adam Smyth is the Chief Financial Officer at Genesis. He is responsible for finance, treasury, corporate accounting, taxation and financial planning of the business. Adam Smyth is a founding member of Genesis and has over 14 years’ experience in the finance industry.

While at Genesis, Adam has been responsible for the development of the long-term investment strategy of the business and building the tools required to accurately underwrite and value the business and specific transactions. Adam has also been responsible for the design and management of the investment governance across Genesis and accurately reporting on Genesis’ investments. Prior to joining Genesis Adam was an auditor at Ernst and Young.

Adam holds a degree in Economics and Financial Mathematics from University College Dublin and is a Chartered Accountant. Adam has completed Level 3 CFA exam and received a Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ireland.

Adam Smyth
Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Varkevisser
Vice President of Financial Reporting

Ryan Varkevisser is Vice President of Financial Reporting at Genesis. Ryan joined Genesis in 2021 and is responsible for financial reporting and tax.

Prior to joining Genesis, Ryan was an Audit Director at EY. Ryan holds a master of science in accountancy from Brigham Young University.

Ryan Varkevisser
Vice President of Financial Reporting
Peter Edwards
Associate Vice President Treasury

Peter Edwards is Associate Vice President Treasury at Genesis. Peter manages the preparation and presentation of the treasury reporting requirements for the Genesis aircraft portfolios. Peter joined Genesis in 2015.

Prior to joining Genesis, Peter was an assistant manager at Ernst and Young.

Peter holds a master of accountancy from University College Dublin and is a qualified chartered accountant.

Peter Edwards
Associate Vice President Treasury
Tina Merrigan
AVP Finance

Tina Merrigan is a AVP Finance at Genesis. Tina is responsible for the finance operations within the business including managing the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions.

Tina has over 12 years Aircraft Leasing Experience. Prior to joining Genesis, Tina worked in DAE Capital (formerly AWAS) in the Financial Reporting team as Finance Manager.

Tina is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) with a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick.

Tina Merrigan
AVP Finance
Isobel Haughey
Senior Finance Manager

Isobel Haughey is a Senior Finance Manager at Genesis. Isobel joined Genesis in 2023 and is responsible for financial and management reporting.

Prior to joining Genesis, Isobel gained 6 years of experience in financial reporting and group consolidation at ORIX Aviation and trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG.

Isobel holds a degree in Science from Trinity College Dublin.

Isobel Haughey
Senior Finance Manager
Irene He
Finance Manager

Irene He is a Finance Manager at Genesis. Irene joins Genesis in 2023 and is responsible for financial reporting and tax for ReGen (Genesis division in aircraft component trading).

Prior to joining Genesis, Irene was a Finance Business Partner in Decathlon.

Irene holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and banking from Minzu University of China and a Master of Science in food business strategy from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Irene He
Finance Manager
Edward Dwyer
Treasury Manager

Edward Dwyer is a Treasury Manager at Genesis. Edward joined Genesis in 2023 and is responsible for systems projects, cash management and hedge monitoring. Edward Began his career in 2015 and has worked in risk, valuations and project management for financial institutions including GE Capital, State Street and Bank of America.

Edward holds a B.A. in Law & Accounting, an MSc in Computational Finance both from the University of Limerick and received a Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ireland.

Edward Dwyer
Treasury Manager
Vitalija Mikutaite
Financial Accountant

Vitalija Mikutaite is Financial Accountant at Genesis. Vitalija manages various functions of finance across the Genesis portfolio and assists in day-to-day management.

Prior joining Genesis, Vitalija provided audit and accounting services to several medium sized accounting firm’s clients across many sectors including Aviation, Structured Finance, Credit Union’s.

Vitalija is a chartered accountant and holds Bachelor’s (hons) Degree in Accounting and Finance from Dublin Business School.

Vitalija Mikutaite
Financial Accountant
Elaine Lewis
Accounts Payable Coordinator

Elaine Lewis is an Accounts Assistant at Genesis. Elaine manages the payable function of finance across the Genesis portfolio and assists in day to day management. Elaine joined Genesis in 2018.

Prior to joining Genesis, Elaine held various roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

Elaine holds a bachelor of business in accounting and finance from the Institute of Technology Tallaght. Elaine is currently working towards her ACCA professional qualification.

Elaine Lewis
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Fred Leonard
Platform & Infrastructure Manager

Fred Leonard is a Platform & Infrastructure Manager at Genesis.

Fred is part of the operations team and is responsible for data management, IT software, hardware and operations. Prior to joining Genesis in 2022, Fred was working in Eirtech Aviation Services as a design engineer.

Fred holds an MSc in Financial Data Science from UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business and a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Limerick.

Fred Leonard
Platform & Infrastructure Manager

Legal & Contracts

HR & Facilities

Sarah Willis
Human Resources

Sarah’s role is Human Resources Consultant at Genesis. She leads the full HR function and is responsible for the recruitment and development of employees, the internal HR policies & processes, and Compensation & Benefits. Sarah joined Genesis in 2023.

Sarah has worked within HR for the past 15 years working as a HR Consultant and an employee with companies such as Aramark and CIT.

Sarah holds a BA in Human Resource Management (CIPD), a Diploma in Employment Law and is also a qualified mediator with the MII and holds an advanced diploma in Personal, Leadership and Executive coaching holding an ICF membership.

Sarah Willis
Human Resources
Méabh Ní Chunneagáin
Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Méabh is the Executive Assistant to the CEO and also the Office Manager at Genesis. Méabh joined Genesis in 2022 and is responsible for supporting the CEO and running the admin function within Genesis.

Méabh has over 8 years’ experience working in the Aircraft Leasing Industry & prior to joining Genesis, worked in DAE Capital (formerly AWAS) with a number of CEO's and C-suite executives. Méabh holds an honours BSc degree in Science from University College Dublin.

Méabh Ní Chunneagáin
Executive Assistant & Office Manager

ReGEN – Component Trading

David Curran
SVP Component Trading

David Curran is SVP Component Trading at Genesis and manages all of the power plant activities across the Genesis fleet. David joined Genesis in 2018 and has over 16 years’ experience across the airline, engine maintenance and aircraft leasing industries.

David holds a first class honours degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick

David Curran
SVP Component Trading
Aron Goff
Senior Operations Manager

Aron Goff is Senior Operations Manager at ReGEN. Aron is responsible for managing the airframe inventory for ReGEN. Aron’s roles include managing airframe part-outs and valuing, repairing & selling ReGEN’s inventory. Aron is also responsible for managing the Logistics & Quality requirements for ReGEN.

Aron joined ReGEN in December 2022. Aron has held various roles within airframe component trading since joining the industry in July 2010.

Aron Goff
Senior Operations Manager
Emer O'Sullivan
Sales Manager

Emer O’Sullivan is Sales Manager at ReGEN, responsible for Component Sales. Emer has 20 years’ experience in Sales and Customer Support Roles having previously worked with DHL and TNT. Emer joins ReGEN after a decade with ITS, where she was Regional Sales Manager for EMEA.

Emer O'Sullivan
Sales Manager
Seán Masterson
Component Trading Analyst

Seán is a Component Trading Analyst at ReGEN and joined in 2024. Sean is responsible for market research, trend analysis and developing analytical tools to support airframe disassembly, component valuation and repair direction. They also contribute to building the ReGEN brand and supporting the Sales and Repair teams with data-driven insights.

Seán holds a Bachelor of Business Studies in Marketing from Maynooth University.

Seán Masterson
Component Trading Analyst