Creating a new role within the organization, Transwestern appointed Thomas Lawyer as president of Transwestern Commercial Services, a subsidiary that provides property management, consulting, agency leasing, occupier solutions and research services for its real estate projects.

Lawyer will manage the platform in the company's 35 U.S. offices, push for the implementation of innovative real estate solutions and seek expansion opportunities for the consultative service. He will be based in Dallas and will begin his new role on Nov. 1.

“Our industry has no doubt seen a great deal of change and consolidation over the past several years," Lawyer said. "One of our initial goals as we plan for the future of Transwestern Commercial Services will be to capitalize on our strengths — our commitment to our people and putting the best players on the field, as well as building a focused, high-performance atmosphere in everything we do.”

Lawyer's appointment as president is a new role within the organization, which hasn't had a lead over the entire Transwestern Commercial Services platform. Two other companies — Transwestern Investment Management and Transwestern Development Co. — also have presidents who report to the CEO, Larry Heard.

“Tom is one of the most effective leaders I have encountered during my career, and his global perspective on commercial real estate will be of immense value to our firm as we carry out our growth plans and expand client solutions,” Heard said. “An ideal cultural fit for Transwestern, he is committed to furthering organizational strategy through precise execution — and doing so with a refreshingly entrepreneurial spirit.”

Previously with JPMorgan Chase & Co. as vice chairman of the company's real estate banking group, Lawyer facilitated U.S. real estate banking, co-chaired its Real Estate Banking Investment Committee and was on its Global Real Estate Council.

Lawyer has more than 30 years of experience and spent almost a decade with Citibank as the managing director of commercial real estate finance.