Willis Lease Finance, a lessor of commercial aircraft engines and provider of global aviation service operations, appointed Z. Clifton “Clif” Dameron to the role of senior vice president to strengthen and help streamline the company’s legal functions.

“We are thrilled to have Clif join our team,” Austin C. Willis, CEO of Willis Lease, said. “His legal expertise in both leasing operations and asset management will be invaluable as we deploy our strategy.”

“Our rapid growth has been demanding on our legal team and Clif’s capabilities will help us in effectively meeting the company’s needs,” Dean M. Poulakidas, executive vice president and general counsel of Willis Lease, said.

Dameron most recently served as chief legal officer at Carlyle Aviation Partners (formerly Apollo Aviation Group), having joined in 2015 as a senior vice president. Prior to joining Carlyle Aviation, from 2007 to 2015, Dameron was with Sciens Capital Management, a New York-based alternative investment manager, where he was responsible for legal matters relating to Sciens’ private equity activities. Before Sciens, Dameron was a corporate attorney with Bingham McCutchen and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Dameron has a bachelor of arts degree in history from Southern Methodist University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and a juris doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law. Dameron is admitted to practice law in California and New York.