TA Associates announced global promotions of eight staff members, effective January 1, 2012.

M. Roy Burns was promoted to director from principal. He serves in TA’s Boston office, focusing on investments in financial services, business services and other growth services industries. Burns led TA’s 2011 investment in Stadion Money Management and previously led the firm’s investment in Dealer Tire. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Dealer Tire, K2 Advisors and Stadion Money Management, and a Board Observer at First Eagle Investment Management. Burns received a BS, with Special Attainments, in Business Administration from Washington and Lee University, and an MBA as an Arjay Miller Scholar from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Mark H. Carter was promoted to director from principal. He serves in TA’s Boston office, focusing on investments in the healthcare, business services, and retail and restaurant sectors. Carter led TA’s 2011 investment in Senior Whole Health and previously led the firm’s investment in MedSolutions. He is a member of the Board of Directors of MedSolutions, Quotient Bioscience and Senior Whole Health. Carter received a BE, magna cum laude, in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Hythem T. El-Nazer was promoted to director from principal. He serves in TA’s Boston office, focusing on investments in technology, communications and energy services companies. In 2011, El-Nazer led TA’s investment in MicroSeismic and played a significant role in the firm’s investment in Aicent. He previously led TA’s investment in AboveNet. El-Nazer is a member of the Board of Directors of eSecLending, MicroSeismic, Radialpoint and TEOCO Corporation, and is a former Board Observer at WIND TELECOM S.p.A. El-Nazer received an AB in Economics from Brown University, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Harry D. Taylor was promoted to director from principal. He serves in TA’s Boston office, focusing on investments in technology-based growth companies. In 2011, Taylor led the firm’s investment in CoSentry. He is a member of the Board of Directors of CoSentry, e-Rewards and Numara Software, and is a former Director of IntraLinks. Taylor received an AB, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Economics from Hamilton College, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Birker B. Bahnsen was promoted to principal from senior vice president. He serves in TA’s London office, focusing on investments in European healthcare and cross-sector Scandinavian growth companies. Bahnsen led TA’s 2011 investment in Amann Girrbach and also played an active role in the firm’s investment in Cath Kidston. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Amann Girrbach. Bahnsen received a BA and MEng in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Cambridge, and an MSc in Behavioral and Cognitive Science from the University of Oxford.

William D. Christ was promoted to principal from senior vice president. He serves in TA’s Boston office, focusing on investments in consumer services and products, education and business services companies. Christ played an active role in the firm’s 2011 investment in Full Sail and previously led TA’s investment in Dymatize Enterprises. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Dymatize Enterprises and Vatterott Educational Centers, and is a former Director of Microban International. Christ received a BS, summa cum laude, with Special Attainments, Phi Beta Kappa, in Business Administration from Washington and Lee University, and an MBA as an Edward Tuck Scholar with High Distinction from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

J. Morgan Seigler was promoted to principal from senior vice president. He serves in TA’s London office, focusing on investments in growth companies across Europe. Seigler played a significant role in TA’s 2011 investments in Bigpoint and ION Investment Group, and previously in the firm’s investments in AVG Technologies and eCircle. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Bigpoint, eCircle and M and M Direct, and a Board Observer at AVG Technologies. Seigler received a BA in Economics from Yale University, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Jason P. Werlin was promoted to principal from senior vice president. He serves in TA’s Menlo Park Office, focusing on investments in technology and technology-based services companies. Werlin led TA’s 2011 investment in Aicent and previously led the firm’s investment in Aurora Networks. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Aicent and Aurora Networks, and is a former Director of Logistics Health. Werlin received a BA, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in International Studies from Colby College, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

“These individuals have proven to be exceptional contributors and we are delighted to announce their advancement,” said Richard D. Tadler, a managing director of TA Associates. “They are very adept at advancing the interests of our limited partners and portfolio companies, and truly representative of TA’s talented team of professionals across all practice areas and geographies.”