The partners of independent investment dealer Orion Securities Inc. today announce the appointment of John Budreski as CEO of Orion Financial Inc. and Orion Securities. He will assume his new responsibilities effective March 1.

Budreski joins Orion with over eighteen years of extensive industry experience in senior roles in investment banking, institutional sales and trading, mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets. Prior to joining the Orion, he had worked with two major investment dealers in Calgary, New York and Toronto.

His mandate will be to guide and manage the ongoing growth of Orion, building on its evolution into a significant institutional presence.

In a related move, Dan Cristall, was named chairman of Orion Financial. His appointment is effective with Orion’s new fiscal year starting April 1. A member of Orion’s operating committee and an integral part of Orion’s investment banking team, Orion says Cristall’s extensive industry knowledge and experience will allow him to assist Budreski in executing the firm’s business plans.

As part of this management transition, John Varghese is stepping down as non-executive chairman during this past year of transition. He will continue as a member of the board of directors.