AE Industrial Partners Adds John L. Plueger as Senior Advisor

Brings over 40 years of aircraft leasing & aerospace industry experience to support investments

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AE Industrial” or the “Firm”), a private investment firm focused on technologies and services considered critical to national and economic security, today announced the appointment of John L. Plueger as Senior Advisor on the Firm’s Operating Partners team. He will work closely with portfolio companies in the commercial aerospace sector while also supporting AE Industrial’s aircraft leasing investment portfolio.

Plueger joins AE Industrial with 40 years of experience in the aviation industry. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and on the Board of Directors for Air Lease Corporation, one of the world's largest aircraft lessors, which he co-founded in 2010. Earlier in his career, Plueger spent 25 years at International Lease Finance Corporation, where he held several senior leadership roles, including President, Chief Operating Officer, Acting Chief Executive Officer, and board member. He also served on the Spirit Aerosystems Board of Directors for 10 years.

“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,” said David Rowe, Co-CEO and Managing Partner at AE Industrial. “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.”

Throughout his career, Plueger has been recognized as a leading voice in aircraft leasing, testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives and the European Commission on matters related to the aerospace industry. He is also an accomplished pilot, holding a U.S. FAA Airline Transport Pilot license as well as multiple jet type and instructor ratings.

“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,” said Plueger. “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.”

Plueger holds 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. He also serves on the boards of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Pepperdine University.

About AE Industrial Partners
AE Industrial Partners is a private investment firm with approximately $9.0 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026, focused on investing in technologies and services considered critical to national & economic security. Since 2015, AE Industrial has completed more than 155 investments in market-leading companies that benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience and network of relationships across the sectors where the Firm invests (national security, aerospace and industrial services). With a commitment to driving value creation in partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, AE Industrial invests across private equity, venture capital and aerospace leasing. AE Industrial is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL and has an office in Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.