Executive moves, week of Jan. 21, 2008

Gandhi joins Canaan in India

has joined Canaan Partners as an executive director in the firm’s India office. He previously ran the new product development team at Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel. The firm, which has been investing in India since 2000, focuses on startups in the Internet and wireless sectors. Last year, Canaan opened an office in Gurgaon, India.

Bessemer beefs up Indian office

Bessemer Venture Partners has made two promotions in its Mumbai, India-based affiliate. Anil Sarin was named managing director and Vishal Gupta was named vice president. Both men joined in 2006. Bessemer launched its India practice in 2003 and has since invested in 17 Indian companies.

M/C promotes two to GP

M/C Venture Partners has promoted Gillis Cashman and Brian Clark to general partner. The firm also named Robert Savignol partner. Cashman focuses on telecom and media infrastructure, and joined the firm in 1999. Clark focuses on cellular/PCS, wireline and broadband wireless, and joined in 2001. Savignol joined in 2004, and focuses on opportunities in Europe.

McIntyre leaves CMEA

has left CMEA Ventures, where he had been a tech-focused partner for the past three years. McIntyre sent an email last week that said the move was “effective immediately,” and that he plans to “pursue other opportunities.” The firm is in the midst of raising fund VII.

Casciato joins Lightyear

has joined Lightyear Capital as a managing director. He has spent the past 20 years with Goldman Sachs, where he was a partner in the financial institutions group.

Greenhill names Woeber

Andrew Woeber has joined Greenhill & Co. as a managing director in San Francisco. He previously was a managing director with Morgan Stanley and, before that, worked in M&A at Merrill Lynch.

MAVA elects Burton president

The Mid-Atlantic Venture Capital Association has elected John Burton as president. Burton is co-founder and managing general partner of Updata Partners. He succeeds Kevin Burns, a co-founder and managing principal of Lazard Technology Partners, who will assume the position of chairman.

DFJ taps Bryant as venture partner

has joined Draper Fisher Jurvetson as a venture partner, focused on opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Bryant is a former venture partner with Atlas Venture, and he has co-founded such companies as Netbot and Qpass.

Van Sant heads to Stone Arch

Bill Van Sant has joined Stone Arch Capital, a Minneapolis-based private equity firm, as an operating partner. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Paladin, both before and after its sale to Dover Corp. He also previously worked with Norwest Equity Partners where he worked with Stone Arch Capital Partner Charlie Lannin. Prior to that, Van Sant worked for 26 years with Deere & Co.

Castanea boosts staff

Castanea Partners has promoted Troy Stanfield to partner and hired Drew Collina as principal of marketing and development. Stanfield joined the firm in 2002 from Bain & Co., while Collina previously was a director of new business development for EMC Corp.

Lehman adds Sanai to Boston office

has joined Lehman Brothers Venture Capital as a vice president in the firm’s new Boston office. He previously was a senior associate with Polaris Venture Partners and also was interim vice president with Polaris portfolio company GreenFuels. Lehman Brothers recently closed its fifth venture fund with $365 million.

VCM hires Feucher for Paris

has joined VCM Capital Management, a German fund-of-funds manager, as a managing director and head of a newly-opened Paris office. He previously worked for Natixis in trade and leveraged finance in Asia and France.

TA promotes staffers

TA Associates has announced several promotions. They include Jennifer Mulloy from principal to director; Harry Taylor from senior vice president to principal; Christopher Parkin from vice president to principal; Roy Burns from vice president to senior vice president; Mark Carter from vice president to senior vice president; and Hythem El-Nazer from associate to vice president.