People briefs, Oct. 9, 2006

Capellas joins buyout firmMichael Capellas has joined Silver Lake Partners as a senior advisor and will work out of the buyout firm’s New York office. He was president and CEO of MCI from December 2000 through January 2006, and helped oversee its acquisition by Verizon Communications. Before MCI, Capellas had served as chairman and CEO of Compaq Computer Corp., where he oversaw its merger with Hewlett-Packard Co. He stayed on at HP as president for a short time after the merger in 2002.

Woodside adds venture partnerMark Hoover has joined Woodside Fund as a venture partner. He previously was co-founder and president of early stage tech consultancy Acuitive Inc. Woodside, an early stage tech fund based in Redwood City, Calif., is in the market raising $150 million for its sixth fund.

Highland boosts staffHighland Capital Partners has hired Dean Banks to serve as a vice president focused on health care. He previously worked in corporate development at Cytec Corp. The firm also hired five new associates: Jay DeCoons, Matt Nichols, Dan Rosen, Patricia Santos and Gaurav Tewari. Lexington, Mass.-based Highland earlier this year raised $800 million for Highland Capital Partners VII, an early stage fund.

Burrill hires managing directorCaroline Kovac has joined Burrill & Co. as a managing director. She previously was with IBM, where she helped form the strategic direction of the company’s global health care and life sciences business. Burrill has been closing in on raising its third life sciences fund with between $300 million and $450 million in commitments. The firm began to market Burrill Life Sciences Capital Fund III in January 2005 and had previously closed on $120 million in commitments.

Sarin joins Bessemer in India

Anil Sarin has joined Bessemer Venture Partners as a Mumbai, India-based director of public equities. He previously was co-head of equities at Prudential ICICI Asset Management.

Fadden lands at Tri-ArtisanJerry Fadden has joined Tri-Artisan Partners as a managing director. He previously was a turnaround consultant, most recently serving as interim CFO for aluminum and vinyl windows manufacturer Altrium Cos. The New York-based merchant bank acts as exclusive financial advisor to Oaktree Capital Management.

Norris to work in SVB’s PE unitJohn Norris has joined Silicon Valley Bank as managing director in the firm’s private equity unit to focus on life sciences. He previously was a founding member and senior vice president with Square 1 Bank.