New York private equity firm Paine & Partners will add David Browne to work in its headquarters as a principal. Browne will work on new investment opportunities and alongside existing management teams’ portfolio assets.

Paine & Partners, a PE firm, has promoted Angelos Dassios and Andrew Freeman to partners effective Jan. 1.

Thomas Anderman has joined Paine & Partners as a principal in the firm’s New York office. He previously was a vice president with BAML Capital Partners and, before that, worked at Freeman Spogli & Co.

David Bell, a professor of business and agriculture at Harvard Business School, has joined Paine & Partners as an advisor on the agribusiness and food industry.

John Novak has joined Paine & Partners as a principal in the firm’s Chicago office. He previously was a vice president with Swander Pace Capital.

WireCo WorldGroup, a wire rope maker owned by Paine & Partners, has acquired Phillystran Inc., a Montgomeryville, Penn.-based high tenacity fiber ropes, strands, braids and strength members. No financial terms were disclosed.

Franklin Myers has joined Paine & Partners as an operating advisor, with a focus on energy investment opportunities. He is a former advisor and senior executive with Cameron International Corp.

Lance Stier will become VP of business development with Nassau Candy Distributors Inc., effective next Monday. He had been an associate with private equity firm Paine & Partners. www.nassaucandy.com