Private Equity Firms

Altius Associates, a global private equity advisory and funds of funds firm, has appointed Peter Pfister as a partner and head of Asia-Pacific. Pfister, who had been head of Asia-Pacific for Deutsche Bank’s private equity business, where he spent more than seven years, will be based in the Singapore office, reporting to Brad Young, head of investments.

Alternative investment firm Altegris has named Natalie Maniaci as senior counsel and advisory chief compliance officer. Also, Les Carrington has been hired as the firm’s internal sales desk manager. Previously, Maniaci served as senior vice president and associate general counsel for Trust Company of the West while Carrington worked at LPL.

Europe-based AXA Private Equity has named Juan Angoitia as managing director in its infrastructure team in the Paris office. Previously, Angoitia worked at Citi Infrastructure Investors as an investment principal.

The Carlyle Group has named Adam Metz a managing director and head of international real estate, a new position. Metz joins Carlyle in October and will be based in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Metz was a senior adviser to TPG Capital’s real estate group.

New York City-based growth equity firm Catalyst Investors has named Mia Ficerai and Robert Schnitzler as analysts. In their new positions, both will be responsible for deal origination, transaction execution and portfolio management. Previously, Ficerai was an investment banking analyst at Berenson & Co while Schnitzler held the same title at Signal Hill.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has hired John Compton as an operating adviser. Previously, Compton was the president of PepsiCo. He is also the former CEO of Pilot Flying J Corp.

UK-based private equity firm Endless has appointed Wayne Bowser to the position of non-executive director. Bowser joins Peter Yendell as the second non-executive director at Endless, which is currently investing its third fund.

LLR Partners has added two new staffers to its team in Washington, D.C. Jason Rigoli has been named a principal while Michael Levenberg is a senior associate. Both will be working in LLR Partners’ security, defense and government services sector. LLR Partners is a private equity firm that invests in mid-market companies.

Craig Rydin has joined LNK Partners. Rydin will be working with and providing perspective to existing LNK portfolio companies, and helping evaluate and pursue new investment opportunities. Rydin is the former CEO of Yankee Candle. He is currently Yankee’s chairman.

Platte River Equity has named Kris Whalen as managing director. Previously, Whalen worked at Vestar Capital Partners where he served as a managing director and co-head of diversified industries. Based in Denver, Colorado, Platte River Equity is a lower mid-market private equity firm.

Singapore-based investment firm Temasek has named Wu Yibling to head its China operations. The appointment is effective Oct. 1. Wu will succeed Ding Wei, who will become advisory senior director for China. Currently, Wu is the chairman and CEO of Gladstone Investment Co, the investment unit of China’s CITIC Securities. He is also the president of CITIC Private Equity Funds Management.