Iris Dorbian

Littlejohn & Co., LLC, a private investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, said on Tuesday that it has made an equity investment in Gulf Coast Shipyard Group. No financial terms were disclosed. Also, John Dane III , president and CEO of Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, will continue to lead the company; however, Felix S. Sabates Jr. will step down as the company chair to become an advisor and consultant to the company. Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, which is the parent company of TY Offshore and Trinity Yachts, is a provider of commercial vessels.

Robinson & Cole has expanded its private equity/M &A practice with recent hires in its New York City, Boston and Connecticut offices. Among the new partners are Stephen P. Hanson, Eileen Smith Ewing and Mitchell L. Lampert, Currently, the firm is representing Nielsen Holdings N.V. in its sale of Nielsen Expositions to Onex Corp. 

The Hillman Companies said on Thursday that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer James P. Waters will succeed Max W. Hillman as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2013. Waters, who had previously served as Hillman's chief financial officer, joins the company's board of directors, effective immediately. Hillman, who will retire as CEO after 44 years with the company, will retain a seat on the company's board of directors. Headquartered in Cincinnati, the Hillman Companies, which is a portfolio company of Oak Hill Capital Partners, is a distributor of fasteners, key duplication systems, engraved tags and related hardware items to over 20,000 retail customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America.

Summit Partners said on Thursday that it has promoted Adam Britt, Robert Hassell and Jack Le Roy to principals on the firm’s credit team. Prior to all three joining Summit’s Boston office in 2010, Britt, Hassell and Le Roy worked at Guggenheim Investment Management as part of the leveraged finance group. Summit Partners has offices in Boston, Menlo Park, London and Mumbai.

Element Power Holdings, a renewable energy developer, said on Thursday that it has named Michael Reynolds chairman of its board of directors. Reynolds replaces interim Chairman Joe Slamm. Element Power Holdings, which has main offices in London, Madrid and Portland, Oregon, is a portfolio company of Hudson Clean Energy Partners.

Redstar Ventures said on Thursday that Gina Ashe is joining Redstar to lead its newest startup as CEO. In her new role, Ashe will direct the development of the yet to be revealed operating company. Prior to joining Redstar Ventures, Ashe was CEO and founder of Krush, a consumer platform for action and outdoor sports brands. Redstar Ventures is a "venture foundry" based in Boston.

Mformation® Software Technologies said on Wednesday that it has named Kevin A. Wood as its president and CEO. Wood succeeds Todd DeLaughter, who will remain on as strategic advisor. A global provider of mobility management solutions, Mformation is a portfolio company of Clearlake Capital Partners.

TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P. said on Wednesday that it has made a majority investment in Kaporal, a French-based wholesaler and retailer of men and women’s fashion. No financial terms were disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in July 2013.

Archer Limited, an oilfield services provider based in Hamilton, Bermuda, said on Wednesday that it has agreed to sell its North American Rental and Tubular division to Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. for approximately $244 million. The all-cash transaction is expected to close in June 2013. Archer's Rental and Tubular division provide equipment and services to exploration and production operators in U.S. land markets and the U.S. Gulf Of Mexico, in addition to both land and offshore markets in Mexico.

Flagship Ventures has named Stephane Bancel as a senior partner. Bancel will also serve as president and CEO of Moderna Therapeutics, a Flagship VentureLabs - founded company. Flagship Ventures, which is based in Cambridge, Mass., is a venture capital firm that focuses on health, therapeutics and sustainability.