Paul Makowski has joined Grant Thornton as a managing director in the firm’s national Financial Services Advisory practice.

Makowski has more than 25 years of experience in financial services leadership, optimizing risk management, compliance and analytics for some of the nation’s largest financial institutions. In his new role, Makowski will assist clients in developing effective enterprise risk management solutions, with a focus on transformational programs, promoting improved relations with regulators, and producing sustainable outcomes that contribute to profitable growth.

Most recently, Makowski served as interim chief risk officer for the Mortgage division of BB&T, where he built a comprehensive first line of defense within the business unit that resulted in improved exam performance, operational and compliance risk reduction, as well as more reliable execution of business strategy. Previously, he was managing director for Credit & Risk Insights. He also served for more than two decades in roles of increasing responsibility for organizations including Aurora Bank FSB, Doral Financial, Bank of America, and HSBC North America.