CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing, hired Michelle Wu as head of commercial in Greater China.

“Michelle is a seasoned aviation executive well versed in anticipating and addressing the critical needs of airlines and leveraging market opportunities to stimulate growth, who will further entrench our comprehensive coverage within the Chinese market,” Peter Goodman, chief marketing officer at CDB Aviation, said.

Wu, who has more than three decades of experience in aviation finance and aircraft leasing, joined CDB Aviation from GECAS, where she spent a more than two-decade career holding various executive roles focused on executing marketing efforts and nurturing airline relationships. Most recently, she was senior vice president of marketing commercial and regional manager in China, leading the lease placement, extension and sale and leaseback of more than 350 new and used aircraft and freighters. Prior to GECAS, Wu was deputy director of the leasing office at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), where she arranged aircraft financings for CAAC affiliate airlines and, in her regulatory capacity, participated in drafting related aviation laws and regulations in China.

“I look forward to working alongside my colleagues, tapping into my intricate market knowledge and relationships to deepen our customer relationships and seek further growth opportunities in China,” Wu said.

“CDB Aviation’s ongoing growth and success in the marketplace will continue to be driven by a priority focus on China and its significance as a critical aviation market,” Patrick Hannigan, CEO of CDB Aviation, said. “Michelle is a leader of the highest caliber and joins our best-in-class team of leasing and finance leaders who deliver on the strength of our brand as a global, full-service lessor. Our team remains focused on our long-term vision by working with airline customers, our shareholder[s] and other stakeholders to support the industry recovery while building for the future.”