Stuart Aronson, former head of GE Capital’s Sponsor Finance Group, joined H.I.G. WhiteHorse as group head of its U.S. Direct Lending team.

Aronson served as the president and CEO of GSF and was an officer at GE. From 2010 to 2015, GSF was the leading provider of debt financing to U.S. sponsor middle market companies.

Also joining H.I.G. WhiteHorse from GE Capital are several senior originators, including James Kenefick, who served as the GE Antares’ head of West Coast Sponsor Finance; Mark Bernier, who served as GE Sponsor Finance’s head of Telecom and Technology and Gina Provenzale, who provided sponsor coverage for GE Antares.

“We are delighted to welcome Stuart and his team to H.I.G. They bring an enviable record of success, especially in the sponsor community, where they have built deep relationships based on flexibility, responsiveness and a long-term orientation,” said H.I.G.’s co-CEOs Sami Mnaymneh and Tony Tamer in a statement. “We are confident that they will make a significant contribution to growing H.I.G.’s direct lending activities.”

H.I.G. WhiteHorse is a provider of customized financing solutions to performing small and middle market companies including senior secured loans, unitranche loans, second lien loans and structured equity.