Portfolio companies – Jul 28, 2014

Footwear maker Aerosoles, which is owned by Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, has named Kevin Mead as executive vice president of retail. Mead is a former senior vice president and director of stores for The Children’s Place.

CTS Engines, a portfolio company of Palm Beach Capital Partners, has hired Peter J. Iannone as chief financial officer. The company said Iannone has held numerous executive management positions in several industries. Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, CTS is an jet engine maintenance repair and overhaul provider.

First Data Corp, which is owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, has hired Christopher Augustin as chief information officer. Previously, Augustin worked at Marked Private, where he served as chief information officer and senior business adviser. He was also co-founder and chief information officer for Javelin Capital Markets. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing services.

Elana Drell Szyfer, former executive at Estée Lauder, L’Oreal and Avon, has been named chief executive officer of Laura Geller Beauty. She also has joined Tengram Capital Partners, an investor in Laura Geller Beauty, as an operating adviser. In the advisory capacity, Drell Szyfer will work with Tengram on its beauty portfolio (including Nest Fragrances and Deva Curl), take on board seats and consult on potential new investments.

Music education franchise School of Rock, which is backed by Sterling Partners, has hired Dzana Homan as CEO. Previously, Homan worked at Goddard Systems, where she served as chief operating officer.

T-System, which is backed by Francisco Partners, has hired Roger Davis as president and CEO. Davis is a former managing director at Accenture. Based in Dallas, T-System is a provider of software products for hospital emergency departments.

Weldex, a UK-based crane rental company, has appointed Bill Caplan as chairman. British mid-market firm Dunedin backed the buyout of Weldex in June 2010.