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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG) has announced the appointment of Mr. Shiekuma Gemade as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
He has over two decades of global experience across aircraft leasing, airline operations, and MRO leadership.
Gemade’s leadership in structuring and executing over $12billion in aircraft acquisitions and leasing deals has earned him widespread industry respect.
Before joining AFG, he had served as the inaugural Head of Fleet at Riyadh Air – Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, which was announced by the Crown Prince on March 12, 2023.
At Riyadh Air, he spearheaded aircraft acquisitions, fleet planning, and development of one of the aviation industry’s most ambitious new fleet programmes. His strategic insight played a key role in shaping the airline’s long-term aircraft roadmap.
He previously held senior roles at Atlas Air Worldwide and Titan Aviation Leasing, where he managed a multi-billion-dollar lease portfolio of Boeing wide body freighters and oversaw complex aircraft transactions across the America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Earlier in his career, the appointee, son to Senator Barnabas Gemade’s son, cut his professional teeth at Delta Airlines, advancing from engineering roles within Delta Technical Operations to operational leadership, optimising performance for the airline’s 450-aircraft DC fleet.
Shiekuma Gemade began his early education in Gboko, Benue State, and attended post-primary school in Jos, Plateau State, before pursuing higher studies abroad. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. He is also an FAA-licensed Private Pilot.
Welcoming him to the company, AFG described Mr Gemade as “a visionary leader whose wealth of experience, innovation-driven mind-set, and global exposure will strengthen AFG’s operational excellence and growth trajectory.”
