the team
Joe & Anastasia Hernandez - Founders.
In 1993, Joe established Legends in Art, Inc, pioneering the integration of art and neon by developing and designing two electrical neon components which were patented and received UL approval. Joe sold the business in 1997. Joe studied electrical engineering at Community College of New York. Anastasia acquired a Certificate in New Business Development from Camden Business Partnership, after studying English Literature at the University of North London in the UK. She joined Global Business Journal, a glossy magazine published in the UK and rose to become Executive Editor where she was responsible for planning, commissioning and coordinating editorial content, advertising sales, and layout. Joe and Anastasia have brought the company to its current stage of development; together, they shape and lead the direction of the company and have been fortunate to attract a stellar executive team. Each motivated individual brings industry insight and unique opportunities to VR4 and the organization has thrived on the integrated yet autonomous approach and participation of each member of this outstanding team.
Ronaldo Garcia, CTO, VR4 Media Group.
Ronaldo Garcia is a valuable asset to the company. An experienced and highly talented software architect and code programmer, Ronaldo has years of experience structuring and overseeing the development of complex, large scale projects and has direct and relevant experience on projects in the television broadcast arena. As CTO, for RTN GERMANY, and hired by this firm to oversee a team of German and international code programmers 2007-2009, Ronaldo was responsible for designing and overseeing the development of the computer network, the web portal to list real estate properties worldwide and the platform to deliver real estate television network over satellite & the Internet. As president of his own software development company in the US, Ronaldo stays abreast of developments in coding, networking, hosting and internet technologies.
David da Silva Cornell Interim CFO.
David manages vr4media's legal business structure and contracts and is a key member of vr4media's executive team. David focuses his practice on corporate law, international and domestic business transactions, and nonprofit law and has unique legal experience in several areas of business relating specifically to key markets to vr4media. David is a partner at Tew Cardenas in Miami and received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, along with a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. From Yale University, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and East Asian Studies, a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies, and a Master of Arts in East Asian Languages and Literatures.
Agustin Benavidez - Head Programmer & Designer (Argentina).
Agustin is fluent in English and Spanish and currently heads the Argentina operation. Agustin has been working with Joe since 2005, evolving the software and graphics to their current stage of development and overseeing a staff of graphic artists and programmers. Education: EET N3 Technical School - Electronic Degree; UTN (National Technological University) - System Engineer Degree (in progress).
Brian Ely – EVP, VR4 Studios.
Brian presently works with ABC News as a photo journalist and has been in photography and videography all his professional life. Brian brings contacts and hands on experience in the industry and is keen to keep the company abreast of new media trends. Brian graduated from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton FL with B.A in Multimedia Journalism in December 2003. He obtained a double major in journalism and film/video, with a minor in Sociology.
Ernesto Gonzalez, Production Manager.
Ernesto is an award-winning producer with over 20 years in the television industry shooting and editing a wide variety of projects and documentaries; his work has taken him all over the United States and abroad. Fluent in Spanish, with a creative eye and an ear for music, he oversees VR4 Media's productions and studio operations. Ernesto has won numerous television Telly awards, is a multiple Emmy Award nominee, has received several Communicator Crystal Awards and over 17 National Proclaim Awards.
Cathy Kominos - Director of Program Development, VR4 Media Group.
Director Educational Outreach at the Institute for Creative Technology in LA, and previously the Deputy Director of Research for the Pentagon for 21 years, Cathy works with vr4media currently in an advisory role with a view to coming on board full time once funded. She is a key member of vr4media's core research and development team and has worked with the company since March 2009. Cathy brings a wealth of experience and unrivalled access to research programs and collaborations across the US in the area of innovative technologies, graphics and virtual reality. See her full bio at: http://people.ict.usc.edu/~kominos/. Cathy Kominos has over 25 years experience overseeing and advancing government basic research programs. After graduating with a Masters in Engineering Administration from George Washington University, she became a project team leader for Belvoir Research Development & Engineering Center where she was responsible for the design of mobile military bridges. Duties included developing design standards and overseeing mobile bridge development activities in Germany, England and Israel.
Wayne Lee, Vice President of Sales.
Wayne has 25-plus years of media sales and sales management experience, including network television, radio, online and mobile platforms. He has held senior positions at CBS Television, The New York Times and AccuWeather. Experience includes hiring & training sales staff, managing sales & production staff, business development, web design/strategy along with selling revenue share, vendor partnerships and integrated cross-platform advertising campaigns. While at CBS, Wayne spearheaded the business development & special projects division while cultivating new client partnerships with international, national, regional and local accounts. Wayne's comprehensive experience and insights into the traditional broadcasting advertising sales model is invaluable to VR4 Media's business model, and he introduces the company's channels and services to his network of proven contacts and relationships.
Dr. Raul Granadillo. Vice-President, Business Development – Latin Markets.
Dr. Raul Granadillo is a versatile executive who for 36 years alternated his medical career with his business investments, his enthusiasm for aviation with more than 2,500 hours as private pilot and his love for the sea as a yacht captain. In 2008 he invested in New Line TV, a traditional television broadcast operations company for cable and satellite systems in Canada, United States, Central and South America. Raul has adeptly transitioned into the New Media arena, and contributes greatly to the VR4 Media team; Raul is the perfect ambassador for VR4 Media’s entrance into Latin traditional television broadcast markets.