PHOENIX, April 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- ViaStar Media Corporation. (OTCBB:VISH) announced today that Mr. William T. Walker, Jr., a former member of the American Stock Exchange Advisory Committee and the Pacific Stock Exchange, has been appointed to the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Walker will head ViaStar's Audit Committee and Executive Compensation Committee in preparation of the company's senior exchange listing in the near future and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Mr. Walker has served as a board member of the Securities Industry Association, a Governor of the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, a member of the American Stock Exchange Advisory Committee, President of the Bond Club of Los Angeles, and Chairman of the California District Securities Industry Association.
Mr. Walker, the founder of Walker Associates, a corporate finance-consulting firm that acts as advisor to corporations and investment banks. Mr. Walker has been involved in numerous public offerings, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for the companies he has worked with. Mr. Walker was Executive Vice President and Manager of Investment Banking for Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards, a major Los Angeles-based investment-banking firm where as a principal and major stockholder of Bateman, he directed its merger with Kemper Insurance Group.
Additionally, Mr. Walker has served on the boards of many private and public companies and currently holds the position of Chairman of the Board of SupraLife International and serves as a director of Digid Technologies, Desert Health Products (OTCBB:DHPI), Health Sciences Group (OTCBB:HESG), King Thomason Group (OTCBB:KGTH) and Stone Mountain Financial Systems.
After graduating from Culver Military Academy and Stanford University and serving in the United States Air Force, Mr. Walker completed his training at the New York Institute of Finance. Mr. Walker has also served in the California Air National Guard for several years, making him a true patriot for our country.
John D. Aquilino President and Chief Executive Officer of ViaStar, said, "Bill is widely respected for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing and all aspects of investment banking. He brings to ViaStar's board over 50 years' of experience in the capital markets industry, unparalleled insight gained from participation on numerous other corporate boards and major stock exchanges, and specific knowledge of the steps that ViaStar must take in the financial community. Bill has a long and healthy relationship with Ken Yonika, our Chief Financial Officer of over 10 years, and both are preparing to play significant roles in guiding ViaStar and its shareholders to national prominence in the financial community."
"I am proud to associate myself with this extraordinarily growth-oriented young company and its management team, especially Ken who has always been a pillar of integrity and business ethics," Walker said. "I look forward to drawing on my knowledge and contacts to assist ViaStar achieve its aggressive objectives."
Kenneth Yonika, ViaStar's Chief Financial Officer, noted, "ViaStar is intent on increasing its revenues through internal growth and strategic accretive acquisitions. In just the last 9 months, we restructured the company's acquisitions creating an equitable solution to problems left by past management, while growing revenues to what we project to be very significant growth for 2004. We believe that Bill will play a pivotal role in helping our company reach its full potential."
For more information visit ViaStar's web site at http://www.viastarcorp.com/
About ViaStar
ViaStar Holdings, Inc. is engaged in development, production and distribution of entertainment related media for film, television, music and publishing interests. The Company's portfolio currently includes ownership of ViaStar Distribution Group, A.V.O. Studios, Moving Pictures International, ViaStar Records, Quadra Records, Light of the Spirit Records, and ViaStar Classical and ViaStar Artist Management group.
Except historical matter contained herein, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.