People in the news, Sept. 25, 2006

Competitive Power taps West Coast execCompetitive Power Ventures has named Brian Kunz to lead a new West Coast office as part of the firm’s expansion. Kunz will focus on the development of power projects in California and other western states.

Silver Spring, Md.-based Competitive Power Ventures, a power development and asset management company, hired Kunz as vice president and regional executive to lead its San Francisco-area office, which will likely open in the next quarter. The announcement comes shortly after the firm raised up to $200 million in funding from private equity firm Warburg Pincus. The funding will help to develop a portfolio of new fossil-fuel plants that could grow to 6,000 megawatts in the United States and Canada.

Kunz previously was with Portland, Ore.-based PPM Energy, where he was responsible for its wind power project development in California. He also was director of development for PG&E National Energy Group.

Papa Gill joins MavenMaven Venture Partners made it official last week and is now a father-and-daughter venture firm.

Jack Gill has joined the Menlo Park, Calif.-based venture firm to help it raise its inaugural fund. Gill, the father of co-founding general partner Jennifer Gill Roberts, fills the gap left by departed co-founding partner Marc Friend. PE Week reported last month that Gill was likely to join his daughter’s firm. Still, Gill Roberts last week said she ws unable to confirm the news. It became official last week when Gill appeared on the Maven website. He is the co-founder of Vanguard Ventures.

Kilts joins CenterviewJim Kilts, former chairman and CEO of The Gillette Co., has joined Centerview Partners as a founding partner focused on building out a consumer-focused private equity effort. Centerview is a newly launched New York boutique co-founded by Stephen Crawford, Blair Effron and Robert Pruzan.

SJF hires KelleyAlan Kelley has joined SJF Ventures as a managing director in the firm’s New York office. He previously was with Milestone Venture Partners. SJF invests in high-growth companies, particularly in renewable energy and efficiency, green building, organic and premium products, business and health care services and water and infrastructure sectors.

Warburg Pincus calls up DormanDavid Dorman has joined Warburg Pincus as a Menlo Park, Calif.-based senior advisor, focused on media and telecom opportunities. He is the former chairman and CEO of AT&T.

Cashman becomes venture partnerJack Cashman has joined Genesys Capital Partners as a venture partner. He currently serves as non-executive chairman of two Genesys portfolio companies, Insception Biosciences and Interface Biologics, and is the former chairman and co-CEO of R.P. Scherer (now part of Cardinal Health).

Clearview sees to hire CalientoPaul Caliento has joined Clearview Capital as principal. Caliento previously was with accounting firm Flackman, Goodman and Potter, where he led the firm’s transaction due diligence practice. Clearview invests in middle market comapnies from a $70 million fund raised in 2002.