Q&A with Marc Meloche

Marc Meloche, Managing Director of Aviation Finance, Jetcraft Commercial Division
Location: Montreal, Canada

How long have you been at Jetcraft?

I joined Jetcraft, as Managing Director, Aviation Finance in November 2018, following a career in aviation finance with Bombardier Aerospace overseeing both business and commercial aircraft.

What are your responsibilities within the global Jetcraft team?

My responsibilities are to identify and secure financing in support of our aircraft activities, including warehouse financing to maximize trading and leasing opportunities.  In addition, I look to ensure that the operators have secured adequate financial support.

While the focus is for our commercial aircraft growth, I can also rely on my banking relationships to facilitate the business aircraft side, when required.

Describe a typical day or week in your role.

Whether it be with clients or the financial and leasing community, a large part of the day is spent staying in contact with partners.  The advent of Covid has put more emphasis on phone/video contact, which is more of a challenge since direct contact is really the best way to maintain and build the relationship.

There is also a part of the daily routine doing either industry or company related research (know what’s going on in the industry or what your competition is doing) or the task of analyzing company financial results or business plans.

From time to time, I also lend my hand to the sales activity process, given my relationships within the industry.

What do you love most about your job?

The people.  Like the aviation industry, the financial community for aviation is a small world.  People stick around just with different business cards!  One of the best parts of the job is developing and maintaining relationships with people, many of which stay as friends for well past the business deal.

Describe the company culture at Jetcraft and what it means to you?

I realized very quickly that the Jetcraft company culture is centered on family.  Having spent a good part of my career with an OEM, most large companies lose sight of the “people”, yet this is clearly the opposite with the Jetcraft family.

I noticed firsthand during the last Jetcraft staff retreat in Cabo.  The team is obviously very business driven, yet you can easily feel that its successes are due to a family approach.  The Jetcraft employees take the time to get to know you and to welcome you.  It’s a strong quality to have as a group.

What do you want your customers to experience when dealing with Jetcraft?

Confidence that it can rely on our knowledge and expertise to maximize results.  Our customers can also count on our integrity and depth of experience to ensure success.

Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?

Like most Canadians, I played competitive hockey as a youngster.  I knew very early on that I wasn’t going to make a profession with it (and I wanted to keep my teeth), yet I was good enough to play at the top competitive levels, only not as a team star.  One day, I was singled out to other team members as having contributed more than others because I did the little things right.  The team used this as motivation, as did I.  I still use this as motivation today.  Thanks Coach (Dad)!

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Integrity – Trust – Easy going

If you were to buy a commercial jet, which aircraft would suit your needs and why?

I would buy the A220 (ex-CSeries) purely for selfish reasons.  During the development phase of the aircraft, I was tasked with securing multiple government financing support, which was an important part of the overall funding of the project.  At first flight some years later, I felt very proud that I could contribute to the success of this game-changing commercial aircraft.

What stands out to you as good customer service?

I believe that good customer service is evidenced by a returning customer.  Good customer service is listening to the expectations and being clear with the customer about the tasks, the expected result, and the timeline involved.

Finally, what is your hidden talent or hobby?

I don’t really have any hidden talents, although I do make a wicked guacamole.

I spend my leisure time enjoying family and friends.  I enjoy food, wine, and most sports.  While I like to golf in the short Canadian summers, most friends suggest that I am not a golfer!  Travel is a highlight for me, and I have been privileged to have travelled the world, whether through work or pleasure.

Shown here is a picture of me fishing this summer on Great Slave Lake near Yellowknife, North West Territories.