Our Team

McConnell joined Castlelake in 2007 and is Deputy Co-chief Investment Officer. In this role, Mr. McConnell is responsible for guiding and executing the firm’s global investment strategy across asset classes, overseeing the firm’s Opportunistic Asset Solutions and Aviation fund portfolios, and supporting the growth and development of its investment teams. He is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and its Investment Review Committee and is a Director of Castlelake Aviation Ltd. and Castlelake’s aircraft securitizations. Mr. McConnell became a partner of the firm in 2017 and has previously served in portfolio management and investment roles, including co-head of the firm’s Aviation and Real Assets businesses. Prior to joining Castlelake, Mr. McConnell worked in Piper Sandler’s investment banking division. Mr. McConnell received his B.S.B. in finance and accounting from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, summa cum laude.

Mr. Kelleher joined Castlelake in 2022 and is part of the Aviation team, primarily focused on managing the Aviation Finance and Treasury teams. Prior to joining Castlelake, Mr. Kelleher was a Chief Financial Officer with AMCK Aviation and was heavily involved in the sale of its $4.3 billion portfolio of 130 aircraft to Carlyle Aviation Partners. Prior to his time at AMCK Aviation, Mr. Kelleher was Chief Financial Officer of Sky Aviation Leasing International, where he was part of the management team that built the $3 billion portfolio of 51 aircraft that was sold to Goshawk in September 2018. Mr. Kelleher began his aviation finance career at KPMG Dublin as a Director in Aviation Finance & Leasing, working in audit and transaction services. Mr. Kelleher received his degree in international commerce with Italian from University College Dublin, with honors. Mr. Kelleher is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Mr. Murphy joined Castlelake in 2020 as Head of Aviation Risk Management. Mr. Murphy is also a member of Castlelake’s Investment Review Committee. Prior to Castlelake, Mr. Murphy was with Goshawk as Head of Business Analysis. Before joining Goshawk, Mr. Murphy worked for Investec where he led the bank’s pan-European airlines and aviation equity research. Before that, he held positions with Aer Lingus and Cowen and Company. Mr. Murphy is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a M.Sc. in finance and capital markets from Dublin City University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity College Dublin.

Ms. Daly joined Castlelake in 2022 and is part of the Aviation Underwriting team, focused on aviation investment opportunities. Prior to joining Castlelake, Ms. Daly was with Avolon where she led a team focused on aviation investment opportunities as well as the oversight and implementation of Avolon’s investment strategy. Prior to joining Avolon, Ms. Daly was with Commonwealth Bank Australia in Sydney where she focused on risk management and Allied Irish Banks in Dublin where she focused on various risk management roles in their Capital Markets group. Ms. Daly received her master’s degree in finance and capital markets from Dublin City University with first class honors and a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from University College Dublin with first class honors. Ms. Daly is a Chartered Financial Analyst (active).

Mr. Ryan joined Castlelake in 2015 and is part of the Aviation Underwriting team, focused on aviation investment opportunities. Prior to joining Castlelake, Mr. Ryan was with Craig-Hallum Capital Group's investment banking group where he focused on M&A transactions. Mr. Ryan started at Wells Fargo's corporate banking group as a financial analyst where he focused on investment grade credit opportunities for financial institutions. Mr. Ryan received his B.S. with distinction from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in finance and accounting.

Mr. Bhagwat joined Castlelake in 2020 and is part of the Aviation Underwriting team. Prior to Castlelake, Mr. Bhagwat was an associate with HIG Capital's Bayside Fund where he focused on distressed corporate and special situations opportunities. Mr. Bhagwat started his career as an investment banking analyst in Jefferies' Global Industrials and Metals & Mining division. Mr. Bhagwat received a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University. He is fluent in Hindi and Marathi, as well as conversational in French.

Ms. Frenette joined Castlelake in 2016 and is part of its Aviation Underwriting team, previously as part of the Aviation Finance team. Prior to joining Castlelake, Ms. Frenette was with Chartwell Financial Advisory, where she focused on business valuation and transaction execution. Ms. Frenette received her B.S. from the University of Minnesota in finance and is a CFA® charterholder.

Mr. Persinger joined Castlelake in 2007 and is part of its Aviation Underwriting team. Prior to Castlelake, Mr. Persinger was an assistant trader and analyst of Prime and Alt-A mortgages at Residential Capital (Rescap). Mr. Persinger started at Rescap as a financial analyst of credit residuals and mortgage servicing rights. Prior to joining Rescap, he was an auditor at KPMG. Mr. Persinger received his B.S. from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in accounting.