Toronto-based visual effects house GVFX has named Ron O’Brien president and chief executive officer. O’Brien will be responsible for overseeing all of GVFX’s daily global business activities including the offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Working closely with John Gajdecki, founder and effects supervisor of GVFX, O’Brien will oversee GVFX’s business and corporate strategy, and manage all business development, marketing and operational interests. Prior to joining GVFX, O’Brien served as chairman and CEO of the Toronto-based technology solutions provider Datahorse Limited, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations and negotiated the funding of working and investment capital for corporate growth initiatives. Before his tenure at Datahorse, O’Brien was senior account manager for a Schedule A Bank in Toronto from 1998 to 2000, focusing on senior debt financing for medium to large cap private companies and small cap public companies. Founded in 1987, GVFX has produced visual effects for such major entertainment organizations as Miramax, Vivendi-Universal, Sony Pictures, MGM, Alliance Atlantis Communications, Sony Pictures Television and CBS. The company recently completed production on an extensive array of visual effects for Walt Disney Pictures’ THE SANTA CLAUSE 2, starring Tim Allen, scheduled to premiere in theaters November 1, 2002.