Grant Thornton appointed James A. Peko as the new national managing principal of the Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services practice.

Peko has played roles in a number of restructurings, including serving as financial advisor for AMBAC Assurance as insurer of a large company securitization; several transactions associated with the holdings of a New York-based international investment management firm; The Educational Resources Institute in its reorganization and emergence from Chapter 11 and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Hancock Fabrics.

He also assisted an international team serving as financial advisor to the UK-based pension plan of Eastman Kodak in its U.S. Chapter 11 reorganization. Peko has advised a diverse spectrum of clients in industries such as airline, automotive, engineering and construction, financial services, gaming, hospitality, manufacturing, media, real estate, retail, technology and utility.

Peko has more than 24 years’ experience in capital markets and restructuring serving companies in transition for the last 12 years. He has been a principal with Grant Thornton for more than six years.

He has previously served as a first vice president in the Nikko Securities International corporate finance group.

In addition, Peko is a member of the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors, CFA Institute, Turnaround Management Association, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

“Jim has been an integral part of the transition of our business model to one that best serves the needs of the complex and global marketplace,” said Steve Lukens, national managing principal of Grant Thornton’s Advisory Services. “His combined expertise with restructuring and the structuring of investments made by financial services and private equity organizations allows him to assist clients of the firm – both in the United States and internationally – with highly unique and challenging situations.”

Grant Thornton LLP’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services professionals have experience with both bankruptcy and out-of-court restructuring.