ABOUT US
Our Story
Aero-mark, LLC was founded by Mark Lee in 1986. Mr. Lee’s primary goal was to build a firm specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of companies in Aerospace and Defense. Throughout his career he had vested interest in other sectors that have provided profitable returns and has since then expanded the company’s investment focuses.
Our passion for investing in small and unique businesses originates from our team’s background in entrepreneurship, finance, management, and a strong network. Coupled with our core competencies - process improvement, accounting, marketing, and drive, Aero-mark is equipped to bring long term returns.
Aero-mark has primarily invested on its own however, it has also partnered with management and other capital providers who have achieved significant economic returns. Aero-mark has been primarily driven as the investment vehicle of Mark Lee. It is seeking to institutionalize its record and standing in the industry by expanding its management and ownership team to provide for continued success in succeeding generations.
Meet the Team
Meet the Team Propelling Aerospace & Defense Investments Forward.
MARK LEE
CHAIRMAN
Mark Lee is the Chairman of Aero-mark, a private investment firm with over 35 years of experience in acquiring, growing, and improving companies, primarily in the aerospace and defense industry. Under his leadership, Aero-mark has completed more than 15 acquisitions and exits, enhancing its investments through strategic direction, capital, and industry expertise. Mark has served as the president of a publicly traded company and led an international joint venture. He was twice elected to the Board of Governors for the Aerospace Industries Association and has been a long-time member of the University of California, Los Angeles Chancellor’s Cabinet. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University, and is a Certified Public Accountant. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served as a lieutenant from 1969 to 1972.
PAULINA TODD
PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Paulina Todd is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Aero-mark, where she oversees strategy, operations, and financial performance across the company’s portfolio. Since joining Aero-mark in 2016, she has played a key role in acquisitions, spin-offs, and the sale of its largest platform. Previously, she served as Vice President of Commercial at Certified Aviation Services, where she led business initiatives, secured partnerships with Boeing and Airbus, and contributed to a 30 percent increase in company revenue. She also worked at Fairhope Aerospace, implementing process improvements based on Lean Sigma principles that increased net profit by 15 percentage points and improved on-time performance by seven percent. Paulina holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Boise State University, where she was a Division I student-athlete. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Aerospace and Defense from the University of Tennessee and is Lean Sigma certified. She was recognized as a 2021 Aircraft Maintenance Technology 40 Under 40 honoree and serves as President of Women in Defense for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, as well as a standing member of the Aerospace and Defense Advisory Board at the University of Tennessee.
TOM KULESA
OPERATING EXECUTIVE
Tom Kulesa is an Operating Executive at Aero-mark, where he focuses on identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, executing transactions, and managing portfolio companies. Before joining Aero-mark, Tom worked as an investment professional at Red Arts Capital and MPE Partners, where he was responsible for sourcing, assessing, and managing investments. He also held investment banking roles at Alantra and Silverwood Partners, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Drexel University.
CHRIS NEWTON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Chris Newton is the Chief Financial Officer of Aero-mark, where he is responsible for financial strategy, cash flow management, funding, and mergers and acquisitions. With more than 20 years of experience in finance, strategic planning, and operational management, he has worked across multiple industries, including aerospace and defense, commercial real estate, homebuilding, and homecare. Before joining Aero-mark, Chris served as Chief Financial Officer at A First Name Basis Home Care, where he led acquisitions, optimized financial reporting, and played a key role in the successful sale of the company to a private equity firm. He also held finance leadership roles at Centex Homes and MBK Homes, specializing in financial forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. He has expertise in financial modeling, investment analysis, and cost optimization.
DAVID L. BROWN
SENIOR ADVISOR
David Brown has over 30 years of experience in strategic alliances, government affairs, and media relations. He began his career leading media relations for United Airlines on the West Coast before becoming president of a California-based commuter airline, which was later acquired by American Airlines. He then served as vice president of marketing for Texas International Airlines, which ultimately merged with Continental Airlines. David later joined Southwest Airlines as vice president of strategic alliances, media relations, and public affairs, where he developed the airline’s crisis communication plan and represented the company at the Airline Transportation Association. After eight years at Southwest, he became head of media relations for McDonnell Douglas’s commercial division, continuing with Boeing after its acquisition of the company. At Boeing, he led government affairs, representing the firm before the United States president and Congress until 2002. Following his retirement from Boeing, David founded Affiliations Unlimited, a consulting firm specializing in government and corporate relations. His clients have included WHR Architects, Turner Construction, ISES Corporation, Cumming Project Management, the United States Marine Corps (pro bono), and Certified Aviation Services. David has also been deeply involved in philanthropy, serving for over 20 years on the board of Memorial Health Care and nearly eight years on the board of Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs, where he was chairman for two years.
OUR MISSION, VISSION, AND CORE VALUES
MISSION
To build admired and increasingly valuable organizations through people and values that drive positive outcomes.
VISION
Finding unique activities and creating positive outcomes in a productive and engaging environment that drives accountability and lasting value.
CORE VALUES
The Aero-mark team bases its work ethic on unity, respect, quality, and accountability. We are one company, one team, succeeding together. Diversity equity and inclusiveness are core values at Aero-Mark, LLC. We believe it is critical to respect, appreciate differences and diverse opinions for the workplace to prosper.
News & Events
September 2024
Fairhope, an Aero-mark company, sponsored the United We Care Golf tournament.