HOME          OUR TEAM         CONTACT

Claude Fike, Chairman

Mr. Fike comes to VIA Capital Partners with more than 35 years of experience in senior management in the Operations Division of Ex-Im Bank, America’s Export Credit Agency. He took part in the banks' global aviation activities, developed long-term relationships with financial institutions, money center banks and most major air carriers worldwide. His responsibilities included the asset based financing of new and used commercial aircraft, limited recourse project finance, financial leases, and medium and long term structured finance transactions. He was personally responsible for the placement of more than $2 billion annually across a broad range of airline credits and aircraft types. Mr. Fike, had the personal authority to sign off on individual transactions up to $100 million. Mr. Fike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Psychology.

MaryAnne Fike, Chief Executive Officer

Maryanne Fike is a founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Immediate prior to founding VIA, she was with Bravia Capital Partners. In her capacity as Director of Business Development she was responsible for originating new business including the acquisition of aircraft in the new and secondary markets. Transactions included freighter conversions, sourcing debt and equity for PDP's, and short and long term financing. She developing strategic alliances with airlines, lessors, OEM's and financial institutions world wide as part of her efforts. Prior to joining Bravia, Ms. Fike was the President of One World Aviation, an aviation consultancy company focused on the Asian markets. Ms. Fike has owned and managed numerous businesses, subsequent to starting her career as an investment banker with NCZ (Niederhoffer, Cross and Zeckhauser). Ms. Fike earned her BFA at Virginia Commonwealth University and her MFA studies at Hunter College, NYC.

Dana J. Lockhart, Managing Director

Mr. Lockhart is a veteran of more than forty years holding key positions with aircraft manufacturers and leasing companies and having delivered aircraft financing to customers around the world. Mr. Lockhart served over 20 years at Airbus Americas where he was responsible for managing the structuring, negotiation and implementation of customer financing for aircraft, pre-delivery payments, flight simulators and spare parts.  His transaction experience includes enhanced equipment trust certificate structures, leverage leasing, conditional sale agreements and other secured formats.  As Chief Financial Officer of the company from 2002 to 2008, he also was responsible for all corporate accounting, treasury and financial planning functions.  In addition, Mr. Lockhart represented Airbus interests during the out-of-court and bankruptcy court restructurings of financing transactions and aircraft contracts with significant North American customers. Prior to Airbus, Mr. Lockhart held executive positions at other aircraft manufacturers.  As president of Fairchild’s captive finance subsidiary, Mr. Lockhart implemented aircraft leasing solutions to support Fairchild’s turboprop aircraft programs.  Capping his 15 years at Lockheed, Mr. Lockhart served as vice president of Lockheed Finance Corporation, providing sales financing for the L1011 Tristar and other Lockheed aircraft programs and leading the company’s diversification to finance helicopters, corporate jets and regional aircraft.  In that role he financed aircraft to U.S. and non-U.S. customers, utilizing secured loan, lease and export credit solutions.  Mr. Lockhart holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Jing Thomas, Senior Associate

Prior to joining VIA Capital, Ms. Thomas was an analyst with GE Asset Management, where she had significant responsibilities for financial planning, analysis, and reporting. Before this, Ms. Thomas served in positions of increasing seniority at a New York consulting firm, ultimately being promoted to the company’s vice president of finance and operations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Thomas managed GE Silicone’s marketing efforts in a number of major cities in China. She holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from China Agricultural University.

Claudia Barston, Marketing Director

Ms. Barston joined Via Capital Partners in August 2009, following two years as an Associate at The Transportation Group where she spent time working in their New York, London and Tokyo offices.  Her responsibilities included the marketing and placement of debt for transactions in the European and Asia/ Pacific region, developing and maintaining client relationships and transaction analysis. She has experience as an integral team member on several cross border transactions within both the primary and secondary market. Claudia holds a B.A. in Political Science/Spanish from Gettysburg College. She is also Series 7 and Series 63 certified.

John F. Todd, General Counsel

Mr. Todd, member of Todd & Levi L.L.C., brings to VIA Capital Partners more than twenty five years experience in all phases of aircraft and equipment financing both in the new and secondary markets. His clients include domestic and foreign banks, financial institutions, operating lessors and major airlines  both foreign and domestic. Mr. Todd received his B.S. in Mathematics from Pratt Institute in 1973 and his law degree from George Washington University magna cum laude in 1979 where he was admitted to the Order of the Coif.  Mr. Todd is a member of the state bars of New York and California.

Our Team

Our team of seasoned professionals at VIA Capital Partners is creative and decisive. With over 50 years of combined experience in a broad range of aviation finance products we are able to offer innovative financing solutions specifically tailored to meet our clients' critical needs and expectations.