Investment firm puts former GE exec in charge

TAMPA — Walter Investment Management Corp. is shaking up its leadership team with a new top executive.

George Awad, a former General Electric and Citigroup executive, has been named executive chairman and interim CEO of the Tampa-based mortgage banking firm, a statement says. Awad will take over for current CEO and vice chairman Denmar Dixon June 30.

Dixon, the company's CEO since October 2015, will resign and help in an advisory role, the statement says. Daniel Beltzman will step down as chairman but will remain on the board.

Awad is the founder and principal of Gibraltar Capital Corp., a wealth management and advisory firm for wealthy clients, the statement says. He spent 18 years in multiple roles at GE, including senior vice president of sales and marketing and vice president of global marketing. Awad also spent five years as CEO of consumer finance at Citigroup.

Walter Investment Management Corp. focuses primarily on servicing and originating residential loans. The company has 5,700 employees.