Executive moves, week of March 24, 2008

FTVentures loses partner

Mark Lotke has left FTVentures, where he was a partner. The move comes as the San Francisco-based firm is finishing up raising its third fund, which is targeted at $600 million. The firm has secured more than $465 million in capital commitments for the fund, in which Lotke was listed as a partner on regulatory filings.

No word yet on Lotke’s future plans. FTVentures said that he will be replaced as head of the firm’s software practice by existing partner Eric Byunn.

Bauer signs on to DOE program

Michael Bauer has joined Foundation Capital as the first participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. Bauer is a former vice president of product management for smart grid technology company BPL Global, and will now serve as a bridge between Foundation’s partners and the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The DOE setup the EIR program last fall for chosen entrepreneurs to work at Oak Ridge, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory.

Price steps down from Hummer Winblad to join Widgetbox

has stepped down as a managing director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners to become CEO of the venture firm’s portfolio company Widgetbox, a maker of Web widgets. In January, San Francisco-based Widgetbox raised $8 million in Series B funding from Hummer Winblad, Sequoia Capital, Northgate Capital Group and angel investor Michael Dearing.

Since joining Hummer Winblad in 2005, Price has played a role in the early stage firm’s investments in Move Networks, Replay Solutions, Mulesource, Star Analytics and Hubpages.

Liang heads to Peacock

Lauren Liang has joined Peacock Equity Fund as a Singapore-based executive director focused on the Asia-Pacific region. She previously held numerous positions inside NBC Universal and GE Capital, including her most recent role as director of business development for NBC Universal Local Media.

Adobe’s Brennan joins Silver Lake

John Brennan was named managing director of Silver Lake Sumeru, the middle-market tech investment unit of Silver Lake Partners. Brennan previously was a senior vice president with Adobe Systems, responsible for the company’s platform software business.

DLA Piper adds to staff

has joined DLA Piper as a regional manager of the firm’s Venture Pipeline Group in Palo Alto, Calif. She previously was the chief representative of the Netherlands Business Support Office.

Advent adds more in Paris

Alice Escoffier has joined Advent International as an assistant director in the firm’s Paris office. She previously was part of 3i Group’s buyout team in Paris, with a focus on the corporate and industrial sectors. Her appointment to the Paris team follows the arrival of Nicolas Maurin as associate late last year.

Katz joins Ontario Teachers

Mark Katz has joined Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan as assistant portfolio manager for emerging markets fixed income. He previously was with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as legal counsel to both its merchant banking group, CIBC Capital Partners, and leveraged finance group.

Healy to advise Permira

has joined the private equity firm Permira as a senior advisor, with a focus on financial services. He previously was CFO and executive vice president of North Fork Bankcorporation. Healy will be based in New York.

Greenhill gets Giaquinto

has joined investment bank Greenhill & Co. as a managing director, with a focus on medical devices. He previously was co-head of the U.S. health care group at Citigroup Global Markets.