Our Team

James Raff is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RPK Capital Management. Mr. Raff founded RPK Capital in 2004 with the acquisition of 18 commercial jet aircraft from AWAS (a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley). Mr. Raff is responsible for overseeing the portfolio construction and portfolio management functions of the firm; these responsibilities include leading the structuring and closing of all transactions in addition to overseeing the aircraft portfolio. He also chairs RPK’s Investment Committee. Mr. Raff has leveraged his 25+ years of experience to make RPK Capital a recognized partner in the aviation finance industry. Over the firm’s history, it has conducted transactions for over 50 aircraft and has allocated approximately $700 million in capital.

Prior to founding RPK Capital, Mr. Raff was a Managing Director at BTM Capital. While at BTM Capital, he specialized in the acquisition and leasing of commercial aircraft and developed a CDO for Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate (“EETC”) bonds. Prior to joining BTM Capital, he was a Managing Director, Head of Aircraft and Portfolio Acquisition at Republic Financial Corporation. At Republic Financial, he was responsible for the origination and management of aircraft and portfolio acquisitions. Mr. Raff also worked for Northwest Airlines negotiating the equity terms and conditions on aircraft and aircraft leases for placement into an EETC public financing structure.

From 1985-1995, he was Vice President of the aerospace department at ABN AMRO Bank, where he arranged the financing for over 80 aircraft the value of which exceeded $5 billion. In addition, Mr. Raff was instrumental in developing the Bank’s aircraft securitization programs including financing aircraft through the utilization of a commercial paper conduit. During his tenure at ABN AMRO, he was also the “agent banker” for several airlines and defense contractors. Mr. Raff began his career with Mitsui Manufacturers Bank in Los Angeles, primarily financing commercial real estate.

Mr. Raff received his MBA from the University of Chicago. He received a B.A. in Economics from University of Richmond. He also holds a Diploma in Real Estate Investment and Analysis from New York University.

Paul Redman joined RPK Capital Management in 2005 and is now the President. Mr. Redman oversees the origination, management and trading of commercial aircraft, which are subsequently included in the firm’s portfolio. He is a member of RPK’s Investment Committee.

Prior to joining RPK Capital, Mr. Redman spent seven years with Republic Financial Corporation. At Republic Financial, he focused on the origination of aircraft transactions and finance. Mr. Redman successfully traded all the aircraft he oversaw during his time with the company. Mr. Redman has extensive global bankruptcy and aircraft repossession experience gained over his many years of aviation experience.

In 1994, Mr. Redman moved to the United States joining Pegasus Aviation, a San Francisco-based aircraft leasing company. He was an originator of aircraft and finance at Pegasus. In 1989, he began his career in aviation finance, joining Security Pacific EuroFinance, London as Vice President. Initially, he was responsible for marketing financing options to a variety of airlines, aircraft investors and aircraft leasing companies. In the early 1990s, his focus shifted to the management and sale of the Bank’s aircraft portfolio.

Mr. Redman began his career in 1982 as a Management Trainee with National Westminster Bank in London. He holds an M.A. in Financial Services from the Institute of Banker’s Program at Sheffield Hallam University.

Chantal Cortez is the Office Manager at RPK Capital Management. She is responsible for supporting company operations by implementing and maintaining office systems, procedures and clerical functions. Prior to joining RPK Capital in 2014, Chantal was a licensed Broker and New Business Case Concierge Team Leader for The Life Insurance Center, LLC based in Littleton, Colorado. In 2008, Chantal began her Management career driving sales through visual impact as a Merchandising Presentation Supervisor for various luxury retailers throughout Colorado. Over the course of her career Chantal has received numerous awards for her sales achievements and customer service skills including “Employee of the Year” and “Best Customer Service in Cherry Creek.”

Education:

Studied Hotel and Resort Management at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Certifications/Licenses:

Life Insurance Certification – State of IL