Luisa Beltran

James joins Thoma Bravo

Jennifer James has joined Thoma Bravo LLC as Director, Head of Investor Relations & Marketing. James most recently served as Partner, Investor Relations & Marketing, for Sofinnova Ventures.

Carlyle's third Japanese buyout fund raises about $1 bln

The Carlyle Group said Wednesday that its third Japanese buyout fund, Carlyle Japan Partners III, closed at 119.5 billion yen (about US$1 billion). The fund focuses on mid-cap companies across a range of sectors and industries in Japan. CJP III has already made four investments, including Oyatsu Company Limited, Sunsho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., ARUHI Corp. (previously known as SBI Mortgage Co., Ltd.) and Hitachi Metals Techno Ltd.

Wiener leaves H.I.G. to launch Gemspring Capital

Bret Wiener has left H.I.G. Capital after 11 years and formed Gemspring Capital LLC, where he is managing partner.

Staging Concepts buys Architectural Railings & Grilles

Staging Concepts, a portfolio company of Blackford Capital, has acquired Architectural Railings & Grilles (ARG). Financial terms weren’t announced. Fort Mill, South Carolina-based ARG provides welded aluminum, glass, and stainless steel railing systems. Mercantile Bank of Michigan provided senior financing, while Capital South Partners and Spring Capital provided mezzanine financing for the transaction.

Accel-KKR invests in Motor Vehicle Software Corp.

Accel-KKR has made a growth equity investment in Motor Vehicle Software Corp. Financial terms weren’t announced. Agoura Hills, California-based Motor Vehicle provides process management software for state government agencies and businesses.

Flexera Software buys Secunia

Flexera Software, a portfolio company of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, has acquired Secunia. Financial terms weren’t announced. Copenhagen-based Secunia provides IT security solutions. Mooreland Partners advised Secunia.

Newman joins Crossmark

David Newman is joining Crossmark as Chief Insights Officer on Sept 21. Newman recently worked for Pharmavite as Vice President Customer Marketing & Sales Strategy. Crossmark is a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus.

Jinpan International receives takeover bid from CEO, Forebright Capital

Li Zhiyuan, the Chairman, President and CEO of Jinpan International Ltd. and Forebright Capital Management Ltd. have made a preliminary, non-binding proposal to buy the company for $4.50 a share. Jinpan said its board will form a special committee to consider the offer. It will also retain financial advisor and legal counsel. Zhiyuan and Forebright made the offer in a Sept. 15 letter. Carlstadt, New Jersey-based Jinpan makes, designs and distributes cast resin transformers.

Pension funds invest in Twin Creek Timber J.V.

Plum Creek Timber Company Inc. has formed a joint venture, Twin Creeks Timber LLC, with several institutional investors to own and sustainably manage a portfolio of U.S. timberlands. Silver Creek Capital Management is the managing member and independent fiduciary of the JV. Initial investors include Washington State Investment Board, the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. The initial portfolio, valued at approximately $560 million, will consist of 260,000 acres of Southern U.S. timberland located in five states sourced from Plum Creek. Plum Creek, who is managing Twin Creeks, will own 25 percent while the initial investors will have 75 percent.

AM Conservation Group invests in Service Concepts

AM Conservation Group, a Kohlberg & Company portfolio company, said Tuesday that it has invested in Service Concept. Financial terms weren’t announced. Service Concepts provides products and services to utilities and municipalities. AM Conservation Group also recently invested in GoodCents, which offers program management and implementation and product solutions for utilities and cooperatives in North America.