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Allegiance Capital Corp.- Max Safavi has joined the firm's Dallas headquarters as managing director. Prior to joining Allegiance, Safavi served in roles as chief financial officer at Microdyne and Divisional Chief Financial Officer at UNC Inc. Most recently he served as chief operating officer at EF Johnson Technologies. He also held the title of CFO prior to becoming COO.

Avalon Lake Partners- Irwin Menken, founder of software company C3 , has joined the firm as a director. Menken is assigned with supporting the New York-based firm's sales operations and technology implementation, as well as expanding its product base, and integrating C3 with the firm's existing compliance offerings.

AXA Private Equity- The private equity unit of French insurance company AXA SA selected managing director Jenhao Han to oversee the firm's new office in Beijing. This is AXA's first venture in China. Han will be working alongside Won Ha, Jason Yao and Colin Wang, all of whom were previously based in AXA's Singapore office.

BNP Paribas SA- The firm hired Sameer Sopori as head of high-yield capital markets, Asia-Pacific. He will be based out of Singapore. Sopori was previously global head of the highyield product group at Standard Chartered pic, and before that, held various leadership positions at Credit Suisse Group, UBSand Morgan Stanleyin London and Hong Kong.

CNA Financial Corp. (NYSE: CNA)- The Chicago-based insurer hired James Anderson to oversee mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Anderson, who was previously at Macquarle Group Ltd., will be senior vice president of financial planning and analysis and corporate development. CNA Financial is majority-owned by Loews Corp. (NYSE: L), a holding company with subsidiaries that operate mainly in commercial property and casualty insurance.

CVC Capital Partners- The New York private equity firm announced that chairman Michael Smith is set to retire in January 2013. Smith has worked on many notable transactions, including the April 2012 sale of brewer StarBev LP to Molson Coors Brewing Co. Donald Mackenzie, Roily van Rappard and Steve Koltes are slated to succeed Smith as co-chairmen. Koltes will assume Smith's responsibilities regarding investor relations, while Mackenzie will chair the group board meetings and continue as chairman of the investment and portfolio committees. The Europe/North America and Asia Pacific will continue to be managed by van Rappard.

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