Stratos, an independent aircraft asset manager, has named Christopher Luhrs senior vice president and head of U.S. investor coverage, a newly created role in which he will lead the launch of the company’s first U.S. office in New York.
Luhrs brings more than 20 years of aviation industry experience to the role. He began his career at SH&E, now known as ICF Consulting, before moving to GECAS. He later became a founding member of the management team at Vmo Aircraft Leasing, an Ares Management-backed U.S. leasing startup, where he most recently served as senior vice president and head of risk and strategy. In that position, he led Vmo’s credit and risk function and worked closely with lenders and institutional investors.
At GECAS, Luhrs served as head of growth strategy, focusing on the lessor’s strategic and competitive positioning, and acted as a market advisor for its aircraft and engine asset-backed securities and sidecar investment platforms. Earlier, at SH&E, he led transaction advisory engagements for investors, lessors and lenders active in commercial aviation, advising on acquisitions, due diligence and market strategy — experience Stratos said laid the foundation for the investor-facing role he now takes on.
“We are excited to continue growing our team here at Stratos and to launch a dedicated U.S. investor coverage presence in New York,” said Fraser Chestney, Stratos’ executive vice president of investor relations. “I’m extremely pleased to welcome Chris on board, with his wealth of contacts and experience across both airlines and investors in the U.S. and globally. Stratos has a substantial client base in the United States, which we continue to serve and grow.”
Founded in 2013, Stratos is a top 10 aircraft asset manager and independent aircraft investment specialist, providing acquisition, remarketing, servicing, advisory and capital-raising services to airlines, lenders and investors in large commercial aircraft. The company has placed or sourced more than $7 billion in new and used aircraft, raised or traded $4.2 billion in aircraft-backed debt, and manages a fleet worth approximately $3 billion.
