A private equity investment and advisory firm has been founded by William Koch. Sutherland Companies, based in Dallas, will specialize in investments in aviation-related companies through its Sutherland Ventures group.

Koch most recently served as vice president of business development for i2 Technologies, a $1 billion software firm serving aerospace and defense, airlines and the public sector. Prior to that, he was president of AMR Combs, the business aviation affiliate of American Airlines and a subsidiary of AMR Corp. Koch also served as senior vice president with the Signature Flight Support division of BBA Aviation following its acquisition of AMR Combs two years ago.

For more info, visit the company’s Web site at www.sutherlandllc.com.