People in the news, Aug. 14, 2006

Maxwell not smarting about departureScott Maxwell is leaving his post as managing director of Insight Venture Partners to launch a new firm called Openview Partners. Maxwell had been sourcing Internet and software deals for New York-based Insight since 2000. Among his investments have been Aelita Software and Imceda Software, which were each acquired by Quest Software. He had previously been a partner at Putnam Investments. Little is known about Maxwell’s new venture, but it is believed he will raise $100 million for is inaugural effort. Maxwell said in an email that he’s not currently in a position to talk about his new venture. It was reported elsewhere that Maxwell’s departure from Insight is amicable and that most of the firm’s seven other managing directors will invest in Openview. Maxwell’s blog, at scottmaxwell.wordpress.com, has not been updated since late April, but he is expected to continue blogging again once Openview has closed.

Deering hops over to BehrmanLawrence Deering has joined Behrman Capital as an operating partner. He most recently served as chairman and CEO of Tandem Health Care Inc., a provider of post-acute health care services that Behrman owned up until last month when it was sold to JER Partners and Formation Capital for $620 million.

Enterprise beams up Leenane as EIRJohn Leenane has agreed to join Enterprise Partners Venture Capital as an entrepreneur-in-residence. He comes to Enterprise from PayPal, where he headed mobile merchant services and recently launched mobile commerce service Text to Buy.

Owens sprints over to KPJessica Owens has joined Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers as a partner on the firm’s pandemic preparedness and bio-defense fund. She previously was with Thomas Weisel Partners as an equity analyst covering the diagnostics industry.

Ex-Matrix GP joins 3ComEdward Masri has been named president and CEO of 3Com Corp. (Nasdaq: COMS) effective Aug. 18. He currently serves as COO of Redline Communications, and was a general partner with Matrix Partners from 2000 until earlier this year. Before that, he spent 15 years with 3Com in a variety of roles. Current 3Com president and CEO Scott Murray submitted his resignation last week.

LP Capital promotes WaldropLP Capital Advisors has promoted Allen Waldrop to managing director. He joined the firm in August 2005, and has led its fund screening and due diligence efforts.