Alan joined Azorra in April 2020 as our Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for overseeing the company’s financial strategy, debt and equity financing, financial reporting and tax compliance.
Alan brings over 25 years of experience in finance and aircraft leasing. He was the Chief Financial Officer and a shareholder of Jetscape Aviation Group, the premier lessor of Embraer E-Jets at the time of its sale to Nordic Aviation Capital.
After the sale of Jetscape, Alan served as Head of Group Finance for Nordic Aviation Capital in the company’s Denmark headquarters, responsible for restructuring the finance department and integrating three companies, and subsequently ran the Special Projects Group focused on acquisitions and operating and financial strategy.
Alan’s other experience in the aviation industry includes Treasurer of International Aircraft Investors, a publicly held commercial aircraft lessor. He started his career at Ernst & Young.
Alan is a member of the Venture Mentoring Team, a non-profit group focused on helping and advising startup companies and their founders. He holds an MBA from the University of Colorado and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Denver. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Alan Stanford
Senior Vice President
– Finance
CLAUDIA
ZIEMER
Assistant Vice President – Finance
Vlada
Zasypko
Vice President – Financial Planning & Analysis
Max
Wallerstein
Staff Accountant
Grainne
Ryan
Finance Manager
DIANA
UGALDE
Assistant Vice President – Assistant Financial Controller
Shirley
Quinn
Staff Accountant
GINO
MASTROTI
Accounts Payable Manager
Mauricio
Malagon
Accounting Manager
David
Gleeson
Analyst
Stefano
Grimaldi
Vice President – Financial Controller
John
Levins
Finance Manager
DEANNA
GELMAN
Assistant Vice President – Accounting
STEVEN
FENTON
Senior Vice President
– Finance
SEAN
EWING
Cash Management Manager
HEIDI
BENALCAZAR
Assistant Vice President – Tax
Janina
Luciano
Vice President – Corporate Finance
AROEN
HELLER
Accounting Manager
Ronan
McGee
Heidi joined Azorra in January 2024 and serves as our Cash Management Manager.
Prior to joining Azorra, Heidi served as VP of Operations at Voyager Aviation Holdings. Prior to working at Voyager Aviation Holdings, Heidi spent over 15 years as a Portfolio Analyst and a Credit Administrator at RBS, UBS, and GE Capital.
Heidi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Management from Western Connecticut State University.
Cash Management Manager
HEIDI BENALCAZAR
Sean joined Azorra in January 2024 and serves as our Senior Vice President – Finance.
Sean has over 18 years of aviation, transportation, and broader financial services experience. Prior to joining Azorra, Sean served as Chief Financial Officer at Voyager Aviation Holdings. Prior to working at Voyager Aviation Holdings, Sean served as a Managing Director in the Investment Bank at Deutsche Bank for over 11 years where he executed numerous transactions for leasing companies across aviation and other transport sectors. Sean previously worked as Vice President in Citi’s Investment Banking division.
Sean holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago. Sean has lived and studied in London and Singapore.
Senior Vice President
– Finance
Sean Ewing
Steve joined Azorra in April 2018 and serves as our Assistant Vice President - Accounting.
Prior to joining Azorra, Steve held accounting positions in the aircraft leasing (Accounting Manager at Nordic Aviation Capital and Accounting Manager at Jetscape Aviation Group) and marketing communications (Accountant / Accounts Payable at Young & Rubicam) industries.
Steven holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University.
Assistant Vice President
– Accounting
Steven Fenton
Deanna joined Azorra in December 2021 and now serves as our Finance Manager.
Prior to joining Azorra, Deanna held a Staff Accountant role at B Ocean Resort as well as an accounting role at Vision Three Sixty.
Deanna is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
Finance Manager
Deanna Gelman
David joined Azorra in August 2025 and serves as our Accounting Manager.
David is a qualified chartered accountant and brings with him six years of experience from KPMG’s Financial Services Audit practice. During his time at KPMG, David provided audit services to large, listed aircraft leasing clients, with a strong focus on US GAAP and complex technical accounting matters in the aviation industry.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting from University of Limerick.
Accounting Manager
David Gleeson
Stefano joined Azorra in January 2025 and serves as our Analyst after completing a summer internship.
Prior to joining Azorra, Stefano graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Master’s Degree in Aviation Finance.
Stefano is currently studying to obtain his Level 1 Chartered Financial Analyst certification.
Analyst
Stefano Grimaldi
Aroen joined Azorra in January 2018 and serves as our Vice President - Corporate Finance.
Aroen is experienced in aircraft and portfolio evaluation, financial planning and analysis, credit risk analysis, insurance, and strategic planning. Additionally, Aroen is well versed in M&A, corporate finance, strategy, corporate development and financial analysis. Prior to joining Azorra, he was employed by several investment banking boutiques in the Netherlands, including Chestnut Financial Services, a corporate finance specialist, and JBR, an independent management consultancy agency that specializes in strategy, corporate finance and restructuring/debt advisory.
Aroen holds a Master of Science degree in International Business and Management from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, as well as a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business from the University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Vice President
– Corporate Finance
Aroen Heller
John joined Azorra in August 2024 and serves as our Vice President – Financial Controller.
John brings over a decade of experience in finance and aircraft leasing. Prior to Azorra, John served as Director in the Group Financial Reporting team at AerCap. In this role, he was responsible for the preparation of group financial reports for filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and various financial information and analysis. John was also involved in the development and implementation of accounting policies and assisted with transaction accounting analysis.
John's career in finance began at KPMG Ireland, where he spent 10 years. His experience includes a two-year secondment to KPMG New York, where he expanded his international perspective and expertise. At KPMG, John worked with some of the largest global aircraft lessors, delivering audit and advisory services that helped these entities navigate complex financial landscapes.
John holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Vice President
– Financial Controller
John Levins
Janina joined Azorra in April 2025 and serves as our Assistant Vice President – Tax.
Prior to joining Azorra, Janina worked as Associate Director/Assistant Vice President-Tax at Castlelake. In this role, Janina was responsible for tax compliance on more than one hundred aircraft-owning entities. Additionally, she was involved in structuring aircraft leasing transactions, with a focus on tax analysis. She also held tax roles at Vistra as Senior Tax Manager within the Capital Markets team, and at EY Dublin as Assistant Manager in the Aviation Finance Tax team. In these roles, she was involved in tax compliance, audit, and advisory engagements of aircraft leasing companies.
Janina holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management Accounting from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She also holds a CPA and CGMA qualification.
Assistant Vice President
– Tax
Janina Luciano
Mauricio joined Azorra in April 2025 and serves as our Accounts Payable Manager.
Mauricio brings over 20 years of previous accounting experience in diverse companies ranging from nonprofit to for-profit organizations. He was a staff accountant for the prestigious “Young Arts,” a nonprofit that is the sole nominating agency for US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students in the arts.
Mauricio also served as a Controller at Krieger Watch and Miami Motivations. In these roles, his responsibilities included implementation and maintenance of the financial accounting process to ensure conformance and compliance with U.S. GAAP and other local, state and federal government statutory requirements and tax filings.
Mauricio holds an Associate’s Degree in Arts from Miami Dade College and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida.
Accounts Payable Manager
Mauricio Malagon
Gino joined Azorra in April 2023 and serves as our Staff Accountant.
Prior to joining Azorra, Gino held a Payroll & Accounts Payable Clerk role at Sodexo Live as well as a bookkeeper role at GMG Auto Transport Inc.
Gino holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University.
Staff Accountant
Gino Mastroti
Shirley joined Azorra in October 2025 and serves as our Assistant Vice President – Assistant Financial Controller.
Prior to joining Azorra, Shirley served as Financial Controller at Falko Regional Aircraft Limited, where she led finance teams, implemented accounting systems, and managed financial reporting and control for aircraft leasing entities and SPVs. Her scope of responsibility and experience extends to financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, audit coordination, and liaising with external auditors and tax advisors to ensure regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining Falko Regional Aircraft Limited, Shirley held roles at TMF Group Ireland, RBS Group / Ulster Bank, and BDO Ireland, where she gained extensive experience in property fund management, real estate accounting, and financial analysis.
Shirley is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from Dublin Business School, a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards, and a Tax Technician Qualification (TMTI). Shirley is currently enrolled in the Propel-Her Altitude Leadership Executive Programme.
Assistant Vice President
– Assistant Financial Controller
Shirley Quinn
Diana joined Azorra in September 2023 and started as our Analyst after completing a summer internship, and now serves as our Finance Manager.
Prior to joining Azorra, Diana held commercial roles at Swissport and Aeroméxico where she was responsible for account management, contract negotiation and pricing.
Diana holds a Master of Science degree in Aviation Finance from the University College Dublin, Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School where she was a recipient of the Global Excellence Scholarship. Diana also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico.
Finance Manager
Diana Ugalde
Grainne joined Azorra in July 2025 and serves as our Staff Accountant.
Grainne brings over 6 years of audit experience from her former role at Grant Thornton. Grainne is a qualified chartered accountant and specializes in the aircraft leasing sector, working with a diverse range of clients.
Grainne recently completed a professional diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance from the University of Limerick, further strengthening her expertise in the industry.
Staff Accountant
Grainne Ryan
Max joined Azorra in July 2024 and serves as our Vice President – Financial Planning & Analysis.
Max contributes extensive experience to the team, having started his career in public accounting before transitioning to Pratt & Whitney. During his time at Pratt, he played a crucial role in the accounting and finance teams for the A320 Neo Family, with a primary focus on managing the company’s joint venture activities. His responsibilities included financial reporting, forecasting, business partnering and spearheading process improvements.
Max holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Hartford, a Bachelor’s from Bryant University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Vice President
– Financial Planning & Analysis
Max Wallerstein
Vlada joined Azorra in August 2024 and serves as our Assistant Vice President – Finance.
Prior to joining Azorra, Vlada held senior roles in Financial Planning and Analysis at Room 8 Group, a global game development company, and at Kernel, Ukraine’s largest agricultural exporter. In her former roles, Vlada’s responsibilities included budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, modeling, and providing analytical support for the companies’ global operations.
In addition to her FP&A experience, Vlada has worked in equity research where she primarily focused on US tech companies.
Vlada holds a Master’s Degree in International Economics and Management from Kyiv National Economic University and is currently pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation to continue her professional studies.
Assistant Vice President
– Finance
Vlada Zasypko
Claudia joined Azorra in July 2021 and serves as our Senior Vice President – Finance.
Claudia brings over 20 years of financing experience in aviation finance working with major airlines, lessors and OEMs. Prior to joining Azorra, Claudia was Senior Director of Aviation Finance for Norddeutsche Landesbank (“Nord/LB”). Claudia was responsible for managing Nord/LB’s airline and lessor relationships in the Americas. Claudia originated the full range of aviation finance products offered by Nord/LB, and developed extensive work-out experience through several economic cycles. In 2018, Claudia was recognized for her role in the “Innovative Deal of the Year” by Airfinance Journal.
Claudia previously worked with SkyBlue Capital, a boutique aviation finance arranger, advising airlines and lessors on debt sourcing. At SkyBlue Capital she assisted and promoted start-up airlines in US and Brazil aircraft finance markets. Her clients included Azul (Brazil) and JetBlue (US). Claudia began her career as a banking Credit Officer, which provides her with a valuable institutional perspective during negotiations.
Claudia has a Diploma Banking Economist form the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
Senior Vice President
– Finance
CLAUDIA ZIEMER
Ronan joined Azorra in January 2026 and serves as our Accounting Manager.
Ronan brings with him over eight years of experience in the aircraft leasing industry, gained through his time in PwC’s Banking, Insurance & Aircraft Leasing Assurance department, as well as within the finance teams of other lessors such as ORIX Aviation and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. He specializes in navigating complex technical accounting challenges within the aviation sector.
Ronan holds a First-Class Honours Bachelor’s Degree from Dublin Institute of Technology and is also a Member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Accounting Manager
Ronan McGee
